Influence of light represented by ultraviolet radiation having two
different wavelengths, ٢٥٤ nm and ٤٠٠ nm, on some Iraqi cellulose extracted
from reeds as a raw material has been studied. It was found that the natural
degree of polymerization of
cellulose fibers was affected by UV radiation. This
was estimated by measuring the relative viscosity of cellulose solution and
compared to that of cellulose fibers before treatment. This is also true for the
effect of heat on cellulose fibers especially in the presence of oxygen due to the
oxidation process.
These results were compared with the results obtained for imported
cellulose, which was showed that it contains high percent of water vapor,
whereas the unbleached cellulose had the higher percent of volatile materials.
This reflects the relation between the type of cellulose and it’s sources.
