Mid Sweden University

Cellulose sheets impregnated with metal chlorides were treated at high temperatures in either a dry or a humid environment. The influence of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Fe3+ on the heat-induced discolouration and on the viscosity of cellulose was investigated. Addition of metal ions to cellulose sheets did not significantly influence the colour of the un-aged sheets. At 120 and 150C there are only small increases in the discolouration during heat-ageing. The samples with iron are somewhat more discoloured than the others. After 3,5 hours at 150C Mg2+ also showed an increased discolouration. When the sheets are aged at 180C for short time no large difference between the cellulose reference and the metal impregnated cellulose can be observed. After longer time there is a significant discolouration caused by Ca2+ and Mg2+. Samples with Ca2+ and Mg2+ are 4 and 10 times, respectively, more discoloured than cellulose reference and cellulose impregnated with Fe3+. Under humid conditions at 180C and after 30 minutes Ca2+ and Mg2+ impregnated cellulose are more discoloured than the cellulose reference and the Fe3+ impregnated cellulose. Moisture more than doubles the effect of temperature. pH has no large influence on the discolouration of the cellulose but acid in combination with Mg2+ increases the discolouration 20 times compared to the un-aged reference. The k-values are related to the amount of chromophore formed during ageing. The largest increase in k-values was observed at 285 nm, which was due to the formation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) from wood hexoses formed during hydrolysis of cellulose. Mg2+ and Ca2+ caused a large decrease in DP and increased formation of HMF, compared to the cellulose reference with subsequent formation of chromophores upon heating.