- #1
Liam A
- 4
- 1
what is the chemical composition of common processed paper and what does the molecule's structure look like?
Chemical Composition of Paper: Structure & Molecules
In summary, paper is primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other compounds such as starches, fillers, and coatings. The chemical structure of paper plays a crucial role in determining its physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, durability, and absorbency. Lignin is responsible for giving paper its color and can also affect its brightness and opacity. The chemical composition of paper can be measured through various analytical techniques, and it can be altered by adding or removing certain molecules during the papermaking process.
- #2
JasonSpata
- 2
- 0
Cellulose, pressed and dried. (C6H10O5) Its polymerized too so you could throw a subscript n after it too I guess.
https://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/2013/zavattieri-cellulose2.jpg
- #3
jim mcnamara
Mentor
- 4,770
- 3,817
Old thread, with good answers. Time to close the thread.
Related to Chemical Composition of Paper: Structure & Molecules
1. What is the chemical composition of paper?
Paper is primarily composed of cellulose, a polymer made up of repeating units of glucose molecules. It also contains smaller amounts of hemicellulose, lignin, and other compounds such as starches, fillers, and coatings.
2. How does the chemical structure of paper affect its properties?
The chemical structure of paper plays a crucial role in determining its physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, durability, and absorbency. For example, the presence of hemicellulose and lignin can make paper more brittle and prone to yellowing over time.
3. What molecules are responsible for giving paper its color?
The color of paper is mainly determined by the presence of lignin, which can range from a creamy white to a dark brown color. The type and amount of lignin present in paper can also affect its brightness and opacity.
4. How is the chemical composition of paper measured?
The chemical composition of paper can be measured through various analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These techniques help identify the types and amounts of molecules present in paper samples.
5. Can the chemical composition of paper be altered?
Yes, the chemical composition of paper can be altered by adding or removing certain molecules during the papermaking process. For example, adding fillers such as calcium carbonate can improve the paper's brightness and opacity, while bleaching can remove lignin and other impurities to make the paper whiter and more durable.
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