Characterization of cellulose film prepared from zinc-cellulose complexes

Clear cellulose film was prepared from low degree of polymerization (DP) cellulose by first dissolving cellulose in an aqueous zinc chloride solution, and subsequently spreading this solution as a thin film on glass plates using a thin layer chromatography applicator. The films were coagulated in an ethanol bath, and then removed from the glass plates, dried, stretched, washed and dried again. One type of cellulose film thus produced was characterized. The tensile strength of the film was directionally dependent. The tensile strength measured in the direction parallel to the direction of film casting was 17,240 + 7870 psi, and the tensile strength in the direction perpendicular to the direction of film casting was 13.960 + 4800 psi. The density of the film was 1.045 + 0.122 g/cm1. The transmittance at 600 μm was 86.8% per ml. Cellulose is a major component in waste cellulosic biomass and renewable resource. The ability to use low DP cellulose to produce conventional cellophane makes the utilization of waste biomass practical.