Effect of various pulp properties on the solubility of cellulose in sodium hydroxide solutions

The dissolution of pulps with varying characteristic properties, for example cellulose chain length or content of hemicellulose, has been investigated in two alkaline solvent systems [sodium hydroxide (NaOH)/urea/thiourea (8:8:6.5 by wt.) and NaOH/zince oxide (ZnO) (9:0.5 by wt.)]. One standard paper pulp, two dissolving pulps and three pretreated pulps were selected for this study. The dissolution parameters in focus were the fiber dimensions, average degree of polymerization (DP), polydispersity, water retention value and content of hemicelluloses. The solubility was not influenced by the fiber dimensions. The only significant properties, according to variable importance plot, were DP and composition of the hemicelluloses. It was also established that mass transfer effects during the dissolution stage plays an important role in the dissolution of cellulose derived from pulp fibers.