Nitraattiselluloosa

Nitraattiselluloosa, also known as nitrocellulose or cellulose nitrate, is a highly flammable polymer formed by the nitration of cellulose. It is produced by treating cellulose, typically from cotton or wood pulp, with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The degree of nitration, or the number of hydroxyl groups on the cellulose molecule that have been replaced by nitro groups, determines its properties. Lower nitrated forms are soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether and were historically used as lacquers and coatings, often referred to as "celluloid" when plasticized.

Higher nitrated forms, containing more nitro groups, are highly explosive. These are often referred to as guncotton and are a key component in smokeless gunpowder and other explosives. The instability and explosive nature of nitraattiselluloosa led to its decline in many applications due to safety concerns, although it remains important in pyrotechnics and propellants. Due to its flammability, its use in film stock for motion pictures was phased out in favor of acetate-based films.