Surface area and water vapor sorption of macrocrystalline cellulose

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5173(84)90111-XGet rights and content

Abstract

A review of the pharmaceutical literature revealed several inconsistencies and uncertainties in values obtained for the specific surface area of microcrystalline cellulose, as well as the proposed mechanisms of water vapor sorption. In the present study, using nitrogen and krypton adsorption following several methods of sample pretreatment, a value of 1.3 m2/g, with no evidence of extensive microporosity, was determined. The very high values of specific surface area reported for microcrystalline cellulose using water vapor were shown not to reflect a true surface area, but rather, it is felt, to reflect penetration into the amorphous portions of the cellulose structure and interaction with individual anhydroglucose units. Analysis of water vapor sorption isotherms indicated no apparent difference in the mechanism of sorption between various starches and celluloses, including microcrystalline cellulose, after accounting for the degree of cellulose crystallinity. It appears that water sorbed to such polymers most likely exists in at least 3 states: tightly bound to an anhydroglucose unit; less tightly bound; and bulk water.

References (40)

  • S. Brunauer et al.

    Pore analysis without a pore shape model

    J. Colloid Interface Sci.

    (1967)
  • R.B. Anderson

    Modifications of the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller Equation

    J. Amer. Chem. Soc.

    (1946)
  • J.J. Buloff

    Image transfer onto paper and board surfaces

  • F. El-Khawas et al.

    Water vapor sorption and suction potential of starch grains

    J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem.

    (1966)
  • M.F. Froix et al.

    The interaction of water with cellulose from nuclear magnetic relaxation times

    Macromolecules

    (1975)
  • S.L. Gupta et al.

    Sorption of water and organic vapours on starch at 35°C

    Indian J. Chem.

    (1969)
  • A.J. Hailwood et al.

    Absorption of water by polymers: analysis in terms of a simple

    Trans. Faraday Soc.

    (1946)
  • N.N. Hellman et al.

    Surface area of starch and its role in water sorption

    J. Amer. Chem. Soc.

    (1950)
  • N.N. Hellman et al.

    Starch granule swelling in water vapor sorption

    J. Amer. Chem. Soc.

    (1952)
  • R.G. Hollenbeck et al.

    Application of immersional calorimetry to investigation of solid-liquid interactions: microcrystalline cellulose-water system

    J. Pharm. Sci.

    (1978)
  • J.A. Howsman

    Water sorption and the poly-phase structure of cellulose fibers

    Textile Res. J.

    (1949)
  • Lüscher-Mattli et al.

    Thermodynamic functions of biopolymer hydration. I. Their determination by vapor pressure studies, discussed in an analysis of the primary hydration process

    Biopolymers

    (1982)
  • J.F. Maloney et al.

    Autoxidation of methyl linoleate in freeze-dried model systems. I. Effect of water on autocatalyzed oxidation

    J. Fd. Sci.

    (1966)
  • Cited by (170)

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Taken in part from a M.S. thesis submitted by Mark J. Kontny to the Graduate School, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1983.

    ∗∗

    Present address: Shell Development Co., Biological Sciences Research Center, Modesto, CA 95352.

    View full text