Cellulose

It is the main component of plants, with natural production per year estimated at 7.5 billion tons, and annual human consumption estimated at 200-250 million tonnes. In wood, the cellulose fibrils are joined together by lignin, which is a resin binder. Cellulose is a polymer made up of about 7,000-15,000 D-glycosidic units (D-glucopyranose residues), joined by β-1.4 ether linkages, that form the cellobiose units (two consecutive glycosidic units), which are repeated along the chain.

Each glycosidic unit has three hydroxyl groups, that promote strong interactions by hydrogen bonds. The spatial structure allows molecules crystallize in a horizontal plane, forming fibers. As a consequence, cellulose is sparingly soluble and not processable by thermal and mechanical action, i. e. it is not thermoplastic. Cellulose is a rigid material, whose fibers may be used to reinforce other materials. It presents a small elongation capacity. In order to become thermoplastic, it is necessary that about two of the three hydroxyl groups of the glycosidic units be reacted.

Cellulose is biodegraded by the extracellular cellulase enzyme complex, that is induced in most microorganisms. Only a subgroup of cellulase, known as exogluconase, or β-1,4- gluconase, can attack the terminal glycosidic bond, and is effective in degrading the small crystals (crystallites) in which neither water nor enzymes can penetrate. A manufacturer of cellulose based films is Innovia (NatureFlex products).

Cellulose acetate is a thermoplastic derivative obtained by partial esterification of the hydroxyl groups with acetic acid or anhydride. With an average degree of substitution of up to 2.5 of the 3 available glycosidic hydroxyl groups per unit, the polymer is still biodegradable.

The main applications of cellulose are: timber, furniture and fuel; textiles such as cotton; paper, membranes, and explosives. Important cellulose derivatives are cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate .(thermoplastic esters); ethyl, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl cellulose.