Cellulose furoate. III. Properties and applications

Cellulose furoates synthesized by a homogeneous reaction was used to make film and fiber. Either colorless or light yellow, transparent cellulose furoate film can be made by solvent cast. Cellulose furoate film with a DS of 2.56 and 20% PEG‐400 as the plasticizer displayed 5441 psi maximum tenacity and 21.5% maximum strain. The film without plasticizer has a water vapor permeability of 0.124 ng · m/m2 · s · Pa. DMTA study identified the Tg of cellulose furoate with a DS of 2.77 was 225°C. As the DS decreased, the Tg shifted toward higher temperature. The success of wet‐spun fibers from LiCl/DMAc solution of cellulose and cellulose furoate substantiated cellulose furoate is compatible with cellulose. Unfortunately, the wet‐spun fibers lost their mechanical and surface properties, and bioresistant property against Myrothecium verrucaria, Cheatomium globosum, and Aspergillus terreus. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 253–257, 2001