An X-Ray Study of Acetylated Jute

Abstract

X-ray results for progressively acetylated jute fibers are described. The diffraction pattern of partially acetylated jute has certain features in common with that of a similarly treated pure cellulose fiber such as ramie or cotton, but the intense equatorial reflection characteristic of the acetyl cellulose appears to be absent in it. At highest acetyl content, the x-ray photograph of jute is closely similar to that of cellulose triacetate I, and the transformation to the new lattice appears as complete as in a pure cellulose fiber. The two large spacing equatorial reflections A_x and A_y show improved sharpness and in tensity as well as increased spacing on the partially acetylated jute diagram but are absent in the fully substituted one. The results are discussed in the light of the structure of jute.