Issue 46, 2023

Structure and properties of nitrocellulose: approaching 200 years of research

Abstract

This review brings together almost 200 years of fragmented research on the structure of nitrocellulose to give an overview that covers production to application in composite materials. As a mouldable plastic, energetic rocket propellant and biomolecular binding membrane, nitrocellulose still finds widespread practical application today despite the inception of synthetic plastics. The influence of different cellulose source materials affects the structure and properties of nitrocellulose in ways that are not fully understood, and so this review brings together relatively recent developments in the understanding of cellulose nanostructures to highlight where the gaps in understanding now reside. The influence of nitration conditions on the material properties of nitrocellulose is described, together with the proposed mechanisms and equilibria associated with these synthetic routes. The reported crystal structures of nitrocellulose are also reviewed, and the confirmed structural features are separated from those yet to be proven. We also consider how nitrocellulose interacts with other compounds, to help explain the distinct properties of its composite materials. This review points to further work that is required to obtain well founded structural models of nitrocellulose, while highlighting opportunities to control and direct its structure to improve its material properties.

Graphical abstract: Structure and properties of nitrocellulose: approaching 200 years of research

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
11 ágú. 2023
Accepted
20 okt. 2023
First published
02 nóv. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2023,13, 32321-32333

Structure and properties of nitrocellulose: approaching 200 years of research

E. Morris, C. R. Pulham and C. A. Morrison, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 32321 DOI: 10.1039/D3RA05457H

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements