INCREASING THE REACTIVITY OF CELLULOSE BY TREATMENT WITH VOLATILE SWELLING AGENT

摘要

Method of treating cellulose to increase its chemical and biological reactivity comprising contacting cellulose-containing material with volatile celluloseswelling agent having a vapor pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at ambiant temperature, said contact being carried out at nearly ambient temperature and a pressure greater than atmospheric and thereafter reducing the pressure to atmospheric to cause the swelling agent to boil and explode the fiber structure of the cellulosic containing material.