Determination of Cellulose in Textile Fibers

Abstract

A quantitative colorimetric method has been developed for the determination of cotton (cellulose), viscose (regenerated cellulose), acetate (cellulose diacetate), and Arnel² (cellulose triacetate) in binary textile fiber blends.

The anthrone and the phenol—sulfuric acid colorimetric methods were found to be suitable for the determination of cellulose, regenerated cellulose, and certain cellulose esters after pretreatment with 70% sulfuric acid at room temperature. Standard curves for glucose prepared by each colorincetric method were the same as those obtained for cellulose and viscose when the difference in molecular weight between glucose (180) and a glucose residue (162) was taken into account.

Both colorimetric methods can be used for the analysis of cellulose in standard binary blends containing no finishes or dyes. Commercially available cellulosic/non- cellulosic and cellulosic/cellulosic blends, some containing finishes and dyes, were also analyzed. The phenol—sulfuric acid method is preferred for textile analysis since better results were obtained with it. The accuracy of this colorimetric method was ±3.0% and, in many instances, blends were analyzed with an accuracy of ±1.0% or better.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

ASTM Standards for Textile Materials , American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia , Pa. (Oct. 1959).

Black, H.C., Jr. , Anal. Chem. 23, 1792 (1951).

Dubois, M. , Gilles, K.A. , Hamilton, J.K. , Rebers, P.A. , and Smith, F. , Nature 168, 167 (1951).

Dubois, M. , Gilles, K.A. , Hamilton, J.K. , Rebers, P.A. , and Smith, F. , Anal. Chem. 28, 350 (1956).

Irvine, J.C. and Hirst, E.L. , J. Chem. Soc. 121, 1585 (1922 ).

Loewus, F.A. , Anal. Chem. 24, 219 (1952).

Meyer, K.H. , "High Polymers. Vol. IV. Natural and Synthetic High Polymers," 2nd ed., New York, Interscience Publisher's, Inc., 1942, p. 354.

Molisch, H. , Monatsh. 7, 198 (1886).

Morris, D.L. , Science 107, 254 (1948).

10.

Samsel, E.P. and DeLap, R.A. , Anal, Chem. 23, 1795 (1951 ).

11.

Skinkle, J.H. , "Textile Testing," Brooklyn, N. Y., Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., 1949, p. 249.

12.

Staples, M.L. , "High Polymers. Vol. XII. Analytical Chemistry of Polymers," New York, Interscience Publishers, Inc., 1959, p. 557.

13.

Swann, M.H. , Anal. Chem. 29, 1505 (1957 ).

14.

Test Fabrics, Inc., 55 Vandam Street, New York 13, New York.

15.

Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. Public Law 85-897 . 85th Congress, 2nd Session, H.R. 469.

16.

Viles, F.J. , Jr. and Silverman , L. , Anal. Chem. 21, 950 (1947 ).