Changes in the structure of flax cellulose induced by solutions of lithium,sodium, and potassium hydroxides

In the reaction of cellulose-containing flax material with aqueous solutions of LiOH, NaOH, and KOH, the degree of swelling, sorption of water and alkali, parameters of the crystal lattice formed by alkali cellulose, degree of removal of lignin, and change in the degree of polymerization are a function of the type of cation. For the sorption characteristics and crystal lattice parameters of alkali cellulose, this dependence is determined by the change in the structure of the first and second hydrate shells of the cations. Despite the important differences in the degree of swelling, crystal lattice parameters of alkali cellulose, and degree of removal of lignin, the changes in the crystal structure of the cellulose related to the transition from crystalline modification I to modification II under the effect of the three different bases are similar and take place in approximately the same concentration region.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, pp. 15–19, November–December, 2004.