PY-GC/MS Analysis of cellulose derivatives with and without TMAH.

In the last years the TMAH assisted pyrolysis (thermochemolysis) has gained more attention in the analysis of polymers, especially biopolymers and some studies have already been dealing with the application of thermochemolysis for the analysis of carbohydrates. To change the characteristics of cellulose or cellulose fabrics for special purposes or to improve the quality of paper (mechanical or optical properties), cellulose can be derivatized. The resulting cellulose derivatives often have a very low degree of substitution. Subject of our work was the identfication and the characterization of different cellulose derivatives by Py-GC/MS comparing the traditional analytical pyrolysis with the TMAH assisted thermochemolysis. The use of TMAH leads to different pyrolysis products (only partly identified) from cellulose itself but may help to determine the derivatizing agents and improve the sensbilty of the method.