Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Acetate and Cellulose Nitrate Prepared from Cellulose Extracted from Calamagrostis intermedia

The main purpose of this research work is to prepare and characterize cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate from cellulose extracted from Calamagrostis intermedia. Cellulose nitrate was prepared by nitration with a sulfonitric mixture, while cellulose acetate was prepared with acid and acetic anhydride. In both cases, an FTIR analysis was performed. Optical microscopy was applied to the prepared semi-synthetic compounds, showing crystalline networks corresponding to well-defined polymeric chains. Finally, the cellulose acetate was subjected to viscometry in order to determine the molecular weight of the prepared polymer, tending a value of 220.34 × 103 g/mol. The results highlighted the feasibility of preparation of such polymers from a non-conventional source and the strategies for characterization and preparation at laboratory level.