Carbonization of cellulose cell wall evaluated with ultraviolet microscopy. Issue 13 (19th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nomura, Takashi; Minami, Eiji; Kawamoto, Haruo
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 10:Issue 13(2020)
• Page Start: 7460
• Page End: 7467
• Publication Date: 2020-02-19
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09435k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : This is the first study of cellulose carbonization in the interior of cell walls. Abstract : This is the first study of cellulose carbonization in the interior of cell walls. Cotton cellulose was pyrolyzed under nitrogen or in aromatic solvents (benzophenone, diphenyl sulfide, and 1, 3-diphenoxybenzene) at 280 °C, and cross sections of the cell walls were examined using ultraviolet (UV) microscopy. After pyrolysis under nitrogen, UV absorption caused by carbonization appeared inside the cell walls. The absorptivity of the cell interiors was homogeneous and slightly lower than that of the cell surfaces. The UV spectra had maximal absorption at ca. 250 nm. The spectra of model compounds and Py-GC/MS analysis data suggested that furanic and polycyclic aromatic structures were present in the carbonized products. The use of aromatic solvents decreased the yields of solid carbonized products and the UV absorptivity, which remained homogeneous throughout the cross sections. The mechanism of cellulose carbonization in cell walls is discussed along with the influence of aromatic solvents.