ACSAICHE 99122

S. Coseri1, G. Nistor1, S. Strnad2, V. Harabagiu1, A. Carpov.1

E-mail: coseris@icmpp.ro

Fax: +40 232 211299

1“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Iasi, Romania

2 University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia

Members of the European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE)

ABSTRACT

The physical and chemical surface modifications of various cellulose types, including viscose fibers were carried out.

The physical activation was achieved by the exposure of the cellulose samples on cold plasma.

The chemical surface modification was performed by the use of two oxidative systems: i) a “classic” TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO system, see Scheme 1.

Scheme 1. TEMPO-mediated oxidation of cellulose primary hydroxyl groups to carbonxyl groups.

ii) A new and promising route involving different nitroxy radicals, which avoided the use of more polluting reagents. The modified samples were analyzed by means of FTIR, SEM, X-ray.

Both of these methods reveal only the mild modification on the cellulose’s surface, without damages of the biomacromolecular chain.