10 Chem Cellulose

Cellulose Melinda Dang

 Cellulose

is an organic compound comprised of small glucose links.  Cellulose is the most organic compound on Earth.  Cellulose has no taste, is odorless, and is not soluble in water or most organic solvents.  Chemical Formula: C6H10O5  Melting Point: 320 °C (Cellulose requires a temperature of 320 °C and pressure of 25 MPa to become amorphous in water.)  Boiling Point: 320 °C  Density:1.44g cm-3

General Information

Cellulose

was discovered in 1838 by the French chemist named Anselme Payen. Payen decided to isolate Cellulose from it’s plan matter in order to determine it’s chemical formula. Little is known about Cellulose’s history but researchers believe that cellulose has existed and been in great use in Ancient times because Cellulose is mainly derived from wood pulp and cotton.

History

 Cellulose

is mainly used to produce cardboard or

paper.  Cellulose is also used in textile productions of cotton and linen.  Cellulose can be made into cellophane which is a thin transparent film.  Cellulose was the base ingredient of celluloid which was used in early film and photography companies.  Cellulose is also used for insulation.  Cellulose can also be used to create highly absorbent sponges.

Uses

One

of the most famous chemical manufacturers in the world, BASF is a German chemical company that helps process cellulose. The BASF Group comprises more than 160 subsidiaries and operates more than 150 production sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, Americas and Africa. The BASF has set up a partnership with the University of Alabama to help research and process cellulose.

How it’s Made

Scientists

are now studying to find a way to make cellulose a biorenewable resource. Cellulose molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds to form microfibrils and these form cellulose fibres.

Surprises