SUPERVISOR: Antje POTTHAST

PROJECT ASSIGNED TO: Stefanie GROSS BELDUMA

Different cellulose-derived products such as regenerated fibers or films require pulp of a specific defined molar mass and distribution. Fine-tuning the molar mass allows for improved control over the material's properties and enhances its suitability for specific manufacturing requirements. This adjustment and further modifications enable the development of more efficient and versatile processes, leading to a wider range of applications for cellulose-based products.

The proposed project aims to adjust the molar mass of cellulose for this purpose and to investigate modified cellulose on a molecular level. The goal is to provide a comprehensive characterization of pulp with adjusted molar mass and to look into further modifications and applications.

Techniques to reduce the molar mass will be applied and evaluated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and its morphology will be comprehensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Changes in chemical properties after molar mass adjustment and modifications will also be studied.