selluloosa

Selluloosa, known in many languages as cellulose, is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth and the principal structural component of plant cell walls. It is a linear polymer made of β-D-glucose units connected by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, giving it a high molecular weight. In plant tissue, cellulose chains aggregate into microfibrils with crystalline and amorphous regions, which confer tensile strength and rigidity. The polymer is insoluble in water and most solvents because of extensive interchain hydrogen bonding.

Source and processing: Cellulose occurs in all plant matter, notably in wood and cotton. Industrial production begins with pulping to remove lignin and other components, yielding cellulose pulp. Depending on the desired product, pulps are further refined to produce chemical pulps for paper or dissolving (viscose) pulps for chemical modification. Regenerated celluloses are produced by dissolving cellulose and precipitating it as fibers or films (for example viscose, cuprammonium rayon, lyocell). Cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose expand applications in coatings, films, fibers, and propellants.

Applications and properties: The primary use is in paper and textiles. It also serves as a base for a wide range of regenerated fibers, composites, films, and coatings. Environmentally, cellulose and many of its derivatives are renewable and biodegradable under appropriate conditions, contributing to sustainability in materials science. However, some derivatives require specific processing or do not break down rapidly in all environments.