The influence of temperature and moisture on the optical properties of cellulose in the presence of metal chlorides and glucuronic acid

The influence of Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe3+ ions and glucuronic acid on the dry and humid heat-induced (120180C) discoloration of cotton linter sheets was investigated. The quantity of the added metal ions was similar to that of metal ions found in wood and pulp. Heat-induced ageing (120150C, pH 5) under dry conditions caused only slight discoloration of the reference sheets and of the sheets impregnated with the metal ions. However, during ageing at 180C, the presence of Mg2+ ions accelerated the discoloration. An initial pH in the range of 38 had no great influence on the discoloration of the reference sheets, but a low pH in combination with Mg2+ ions increased the discoloration drastically. Under humid ageing conditions at 180C (<30 min), the sheets discolored approximately twice as much as under dry conditions; the difference in discoloration caused by the metal ions was less than in dry ageing. Adding glucuronic acid to the sheets caused extensive discoloration under dry ageing conditions (120180°C), while Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions decreased the glucuronic acid induced discoloration. Under humid conditions (180°C), however, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions did not prevent the discoloration caused by glucuronic acid. An increase in the absorption coefficient was observed at 285 nm, most likely due to the formation of 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-furaldehyde (HMF) and 2-furaldehyde (furfural). GC-MS analysis reveals increased formation of HMF in the sheets impregnated with Mg2+ ions. Degradation of the cellulose in which the alkaline earth metals act as Lewis acids is proposed