nitrocelluloosassa

Nitrocelluloosa, also known as cellulose nitrate or guncotton, is a highly flammable compound formed by treating cellulose with nitric acid. It is a highly energetic material and a powerful explosive. Its discovery is credited to Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1846.

The process of nitration involves reacting cellulose fibers, typically from cotton or wood pulp, with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The degree of nitration can be controlled to produce different types of nitrocellulose, ranging from less nitrated forms used in lacquers and coatings to highly nitrated forms used as explosives.

In its early history, nitrocellulose was a primary component in smokeless gunpowder, revolutionizing firearms by producing less smoke and fouling compared to black powder. It also found applications in early photography as a flexible film base, though this was largely replaced due to its flammability. Today, less nitrated forms are used as binders in lacquers, paints, and inks, providing a durable and fast-drying finish. Highly nitrated forms continue to be used in propellants and some pyrotechnic applications, though its explosive power and instability require careful handling and storage.