What are esters?4 answersEsters are organic compounds formed by the reaction of an acid with an alcohol. They are widely utilized in various industries due to their diverse properties. Esters can be derived from different types of acids and alcohols, resulting in a wide range of chemical structures and functionalities. Exposure to esters can occur during manufacturing, handling, and use of products containing esters, leading to potential toxicological effects on both animals and humans. Aliphatic esters, common in fruits, contribute pleasant odors and tastes, while some esters like phosphates may exhibit skin sensitization. The toxic effects of esters can include irritation to various systems, CNS depression, and even carcinogenesis, predominantly observed in rodent studies. Overall, esters play crucial roles in industrial processes but require careful handling due to their potential physiological impacts.
How is cellulose acetate produced?5 answersCellulose acetate is produced through various methods using different raw materials. One method involves synthesizing cellulose acetate from rice husk using a solvent-free process. Another method utilizes oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose as the raw material and involves a one-step heterogeneous acetylation process. Babassu coconut shells can also be used to produce cellulose acetate, along with cellulose-silica composites. Waste biomass such as agave bagasse and native birch wood can be fractionated and derived to produce cellulose acetates. Additionally, cellulose acetate can be synthesized from cellulose isolated from teak wood biowaste. These methods involve various reaction conditions, catalysts, and purification steps, and the resulting cellulose acetates are characterized using techniques such as FT-IR, NMR, XRD, and thermal analysis. The mechanical properties of the cellulose acetates are also evaluated.
What are heterogeneous methods of producing cellulose esters?5 answersHeterogeneous methods of producing cellulose esters include the acyl chloride method and the CO2 switchable ionic compound method. The acyl chloride method is effective for homogeneous esterification and results in cellulose esters with high degree of substitution values (DS). The CO2 switchable ionic compound method involves dissolving cellulose in a CO2 switchable ionic compound or a mixture of the compound and organic solvent, and then adding an acylation reagent to obtain cellulose ester. These methods offer advantages such as simplicity, low solvent cost, and convenient operation.
What are advantages of short chain cellulose esters ?3 answersShort chain cellulose esters have several advantages. They possess low toxicity, making them safe for use in pharmaceutical applications. They also have high water permeability, which is beneficial for drug delivery systems. Additionally, short chain cellulose esters have high film strength, allowing them to be used in the production of flexible packaging materials. They are also compatible with a wide range of actives, making them versatile for various applications. Furthermore, short chain cellulose esters can serve as anti-tack additives in thermoplastic polymers, improving their performance in woven and non-woven fibers, laminates, fabrics, apparel, and textiles. Overall, the advantages of short chain cellulose esters include low toxicity, high water permeability, high film strength, compatibility with different actives, and improved performance in thermoplastic polymers.
What are advantages of long chain cellulose esters ?3 answersLong chain cellulose esters have several advantages. They can be used in various applications such as coatings, films, plastics, packaging materials, and drug delivery agents. These esters can be synthesized using different methods, including enzymatic acylation, which is an eco-friendly and green approach. The use of long acyl chains made from renewable resources enhances the sustainability of cellulose esters. The esters have good future potential and can form optically transparent, flexible, and heat-sealable films with good water barrier properties. They also have mechanical properties comparable to some commonly used plastics, making them suitable for various applications. Additionally, the synthesis of cellulose esters can be achieved with reduced chemical consumption, thus addressing environmental and safety concerns.
Do cellulose fatty acid esters have potential as thickeners in lubricant grease applications?4 answersCellulose fatty acid esters have potential as thickeners in lubricant grease applications. The addition of a third component, such as organomodified montmorillonite, can stabilize the dispersions of cellulose particles in non-polar esters, preventing aggregation and sedimentation. Nano-cellulose esters, prepared using mechanical activation-assisted co-reactant reaction (MACR) method, showed enhanced anti-wear and load-carrying properties when used as lubricant additives in liquid paraffin base oil. Gel-like dispersions of cellulose pulp in castor oil, prepared by adding ethylated cellulose samples, exhibited rheological properties similar to traditional lithium lubricating greases. Cellulose esters with linear aliphatic acyl substituents showed increased glass transition temperature with degree of substitution and side-chain crystallization with increasing side-chain length. Gel-like formulations based on cellulose pulp or its methylated derivative in an ethyl cellulose/castor oil medium showed suitable rheological properties, thermal resistance, and mechanical stability for use as biodegradable lubricating greases.