Abstract: Hydrophilic films, fibers and spongy articles of a water-insoluble polymer selected from the group consisting of regenerated cellulose, cellulose ether, cellulose ester and polyalkylene, and capable of forming fibers and films, are produced by distributing in a mass of the polymer up to 50% of pulverulent or granular amorphous particles of an originally water-soluble cellulose ether prepared from natural cellulose and rendered by chemical modification at least partly water-insoluble while remaining water-absorbent. The resulting mixture is then processed by conventional methods into the desired article.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for making a precipitated cellulose product wherein cellulose is dissolved in a solvent containing both a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent and water and precipitated therefrom with water or other non-solvent for cellulose. The water content of the solution may be adjusted to any level of up to about 29% by weight with the amount of water decreasing substantially linearly as the cellulose is increased. A solution substantially free from undissolved cellulose and solid tertiary amine N-oxide which is adapted to be spun, extruded or molded at a temperature below the melting point of the tertiary amine N-oxide can be prepared with a solvent which contains water within a specified critical range mixed with the tertiary amine N-oxide. Preferably, N,N,N-triethylamine N-oxide or a tertiary amine N-oxide having a cyclic or pseudo-cyclic molecular structure is mixed with water to form the solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel sulphated cationic ion exchanger and to a method for preparation thereof. In addition it relates to a method of improving the capacity of an exchange matrix to receive sulphated groups. Although the general attraction of sulphate groups to proteins is known we have found that sulphated ion exchangers selectively bind lipoproteins in blood serum or plasma under suitable conditions. We have also discovered that when hydroxyalkyl groups are introduced into the ion exchanger matrix its capacity for taking up sulphate groups is unexpectedly increased. A method of use of the ion exchanger is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel water insoluble hydroxyalkylated cross-linked regenerated cellulose and a method for its preparation. The product is characterized by having outstanding swelling characteristics and high chemical reactivity. A method of preparing the product using near stoichiometric proportions of reagents is described. Use of the product directly in gel chromatography and as an intermediate in the preparation of ion exchangers is described.

Abstract: A process for bleaching peat moss at acid pHs to produce a peat moss product of enhanced color and which substantially maintains its original structure.

Abstract: An ion exchange process is characterized by the use of an ion exchange cellulose made by reacting unregenerated cellulose with a monomeric substance having at least one ionizable chemical group which imparts ion exchange properties to the cellulose reaction product, and thereafter regenerating the activated cellulose reaction product to yield an activated regenerated cellulose having ion exchange properties.

Abstract: A method for recycling regenerated cellulose scrap such as uncoated cellophane and rayon produced in the viscose process. The regenerated cellulose scrap is first shredded into relatively small flakes and then emulsion-xanthated at a temperature ranging from 18.degree. to 30.degree. C. in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. The amount of regenerated cellulose scrap added to the solution is controlled to maintain the total cellulose concentration at from 3 to 5% by weight of the solution. At least 38% by weight carbon disulfide based on the weight of the cellulose is used in the solution and the solution is made up to contain from about 10.3 to 11.3% by weight sodium hydroxide based on the weight of the solution so that sufficient sodium hydroxide is present to give about 9.5 to 10.5% by weight in the resulting scrap viscose.

Abstract: A process is provided for making precipitated cellulose by dissolving cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide solvent containing from about 1.4 to about 29% of water.

Abstract: A solution of cellulose or cellulose derivative suitable for spinning, extruding or other shaping process is prepared by steeping unaged cellulose or a cellulosic derivative a plurality of times, consecutively, subsequently shredding and then aging prior to xanthation or the like. The concentration of alkali metal hydroxide of the solution used for resteeping is lower than that in the first steeping step. The process produces a viscose with less carbon disulfide than the conventional process without reduction in yield of cellulose. The process is adaptable for steeping in conventional press steeping apparatus or slurry steeping apparatus.

Abstract: Waste raw uncoated and/or coated (such as saran, nitrocellulose and vinyl) regenerated cellulose film is treated to recover its plasticizer and cellulose components for recycling in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose film. The platicizer is first recovered from comminuted waste film particles via extraction with water. The moist comminuted film particles are then converted to viscose, from which coating solids, if any, are removed. The viscose is thereafter employed in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose film.

Abstract: Natural or modified polysaccharides are dissolved in a solvent system comprising dimethyl sulfoxide and formaldehyde. The solvent system is particularly suitable for dissolving cellulose due to the fact that cellulose is rapidly dissolved under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure. The dissolved polysaccharides are readily recovered from the solvent system by diluting the solvent system with water or a short chain alcohol.

Abstract: Porous cellulose beads are prepared by distributing droplets of a solvent mixture containing a cellulose derivative into a precipitating solution to form porous beads which are then washed and hydrolyzed to form porous cellulose beads. The porous cellulose beads, which may be cross-linked, if desired, by suitable treatment, are useful carriers to which enzymes can be immobilized. The beads may also be used for the separation of enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids and the like, or to remove metal ions from dilute mining solutions.

Abstract: Hollow cellulosic fibers are produced by nitrosating and dissolving a cellulosic material in an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of a dialkylacylamide and dimethylsulfoxide and regenerating the dissolved cellulose by contacting the cellulose solution with a regenerant. The regenerant is n-octanol where the solvent is a dialkylacylamide and n-hexanol where the solvent is dimethylsulfoxide. The fibers are hollow as regenerated and require no special spinnerette designs nor special spinning conditions.

Abstract: A process for producing fire retardant phosphonitrilate polymers by reacting phosphonitrilic halide with a hydroxyl compound such as an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol at not more than about 40.degree. C in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as pyridine, under conditions such that a relatively low concentration of the hydroxyl compound is present during the initial 1/2 to 3 hours of the reaction and the reaction conditions are maintained at from 20.degree.-50.degree. C for a period of 1/2 to 120 hours and, optionally, further heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of 40.degree.-80.degree. C for 1/2 to 81/2 hours. The phosphonitrilate polymers are suitable for fire retarding cellulosic materials such as regenerated cellulose, rayon and the like.

Abstract: Regenerated cellulosic articles are produced by nitrosating and dissolving cellulose in a dialkylacylamide solvent, such as dimethylformamide, and regenerating the dissolved cellulose by passing into a coagulant bath. The coagulant comprises water or a 1 to 4 carbon atom aliphatic monohydric alcohol and a soluble reactive base, the latter in an amount ranging from 6% to 25% by weight of the regenerant. The process produces regenerated cellulose products of improved resistance to alkaline solubility.

Abstract: Shaped cellulosic fibers are produced by nitrosating and dissolving a cellulosic material in an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of a dialkylacylamide and dimethylsulfoxide and regenerating the dissolved cellulose by contacting the cellulose solution with a regenerant. The regenerant is butanol, pentanol or benzyl alcohol where the solvent is a dialkylacylamide and propanol, butanol or benzyl alcohol where the solvent is dimethylsulfoxide. The fibers have a generally crenulated shape as regenerated and require no special spinnerette designs nor special spinning conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the process for the manufacture of water-absorbing, but largely water-insoluble cellulose ethers, wherein cellulose is etherified with a halogen fatty acid in an alkaline medium to which organic solvents may be added, to such an extent that without a further reaction a water-soluble cellulose ether would be produced, and wherein, prior to, during, or after etherification, a further reaction is carried out with a cross-linking agent which is polyfunctional towards cellulose in an alkaline reaction medium, the improvement comprising that chips of regenerated cellulose film are used as cellulose.

Abstract: Porous cellulose beads are prepared by distributing droplets of a solvent mixture containing a cellulose derivative into an aqueous solution to form porous beads which are then washed and hydrolyzed to form porous cellulose beads. The porous cellulose beads, which may be cross-linked, if desired, by suitable treatment, are useful carriers to which enzymes can be immobilized.

Abstract: An efficient process for recovering raw materials from scrap coated and uncoated cellophane, including usable cellulose, coating resin, and softener, comprising (a) shredding the scrap cellophane, (b) extracting softener and coating resin jointly by washing the shredded film with a tetrahydrofuran solution containing from 2 to 15% by weight water in an extractor, (c) removing the spent wash solution containing softener, coating resin, tetrahydrofuran, and water and rapidly evaporating tetrahydrofuran therefrom while allowing the coating resin to inherently precipitate from the softener, (d) drying the shredded cellophane after removal of the spent wash solution to recover retained tetrahydrofuran and pure cellulose, (e) recycling tetrahydrofuran obtained from the flash evaporating and drying steps to the extractor, and (f) separating the precipitated coating resin from the softener.

Abstract: Regenerated cellulosic fibers of improved resistance to alkaline treatment are produced by nitrosating and dissolving from 5 to 14% by weight of a cellulosic material in a dialkylacylamide solvent while said solution is maintained at a temperature no greater than 20.degree. C to form a cellulose nitrite ester, and regenerating the cellulose by contacting the cellulose ester with a regenerant. Regeneration of the cellulose occurs before significant oxidation of the cellulose takes place.