Smolder of Cellulosic Fabrics. II. Water,Alkali and Inner Oxygen as Variables

Abstract

Pyrolysis and oxidative decomposition of cellulosic fabric were studied. Alkali metal compounds were found to be essential for sustaining smol dering and to promote oxidative degradation of cellulose and assist cleavage of sugars only in the presence of water. Decomposition activity of cellulose de creased with dehydration. Study of temperature programmed reactions (TPR) in He suggested the production of CO_x via intermediate oxygen-containing com pounds. Intramolecular redox reactions below 300°C were suggested to explain the formation of a part of CO₂. Peroxide groups were found in #6 cotton duck fab ric. They may be responsible for oxidative decomposition of cellulose around 200°C. Two peaks of CO_x formation rate, obtained from TPR experiments, were attributed to intramolecular redox reaction, followed by decarboxylation, and ox idation of carbohydrates by residual bound oxygen. Water washing may increase the fabric/gas permeability.

Keywords

cellulose cotton fabric smolder ignition combustion alkali metal ions.

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