Insights into activation of dissolving pulp preceding cellulose acetylation

The current study was conducted to identify the most important variables in activation phase of cellulose acetate production. Dry alpha pulp as raw material supplied by a local company with intrinsic properties viscosity equal 926 mL/g and water content 96%. In this regard, variables, including reaction time (T30, T60, T90 min), addition level acetic acid (C25, C35, C45 units per 100 dry cellulose), sulfuric catalyst (H0, H0.1, H0.5, H1%), were experimented followed characterization activated through retention value (WRV), carboxyl groups, viscosity, reactivity, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis fibers. results indicated that is complex process an inverse or contributing effect variables. data extensively discussed considering swelling effects governed diffusion chemical reactions both crystalline amorphous regions Eventually, those findings conveyed above-mentioned conditions able improve for acetylation particularly increasing H2SO4 consumption.