CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOSE BY DECONVOLUTING THE OH VALENCY RANGE IN FTIR SPECTRA

The mathematical processing ("deconvolution") of spectra obtained in a FTIR spectrometer permits the resolution of the absorbance range of the OH groups of cellulose into various bands. The distinction between cellulose I and cellulose II was successfully done by attributing certain bands to the crystal modifications independent of crystallinity. The degree of crystallinity is characterized by the relative heights of certain bands. The transformation of cellulose I into cellulose II and the transition from crystalline to amorphous cellulose were pursued by deconvoluted IR spectra in the range of 3200-3700 cm-1. Spectra of this kind were also used for the classification of various cellulose samples according to their crystal modification and degree of crystallinity.