FT Raman investigation of sodium cellulose sulfate

FT Raman investigation of sodium cellulose sulfates (NaCS) was reported. Different NaCS were prepared by two diverse sulfation methods and their total degrees of substitution (DS) of sulfate groups were determined through either ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy or elemental analysis. Subsequently, these NaCS were characterized with FT Raman spectroscopy. The caused bands through the introduction of the sulfate groups in cellulose chain were explained and assigned. Additionally, a strong linear correlation between the areas under the bands ascribed to the stretching vibrations of C–O–S groups and the total DS of NaCS was presented. A rapid method of quantifying the total DS of NaCS was established. Finally, sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), a salt that is very often produced during the sulfation of cellulose, was found to be analyzable even with a weight content of 0.12% in NaCS. The method of quantifying the content of this salt in NaCS was investigated with Raman spectroscopy.