Researchers have unveiled a novel method to synthesize nitrocellulose, leveraging vacuum oxygen plasma processing to modify cellulose, enhancing its properties for industrial use. Nitrocellulose, widely utilized across various sectors from explosives to pharmaceuticals, has now found its production process revolutionized by this low-cost and high-efficiency method.
The innovative plasma treatment significantly improves cellulose's hydrophilicity and surface roughness, making it more reactive to nitration. According to the study, which was published on March 30, 2025, the modified cellulose exhibited considerable improvements including reduced acid consumption and enhanced nitrator capacity.
Conducted by researchers from the University of Zabol, the study highlights the direct correlation between the plasma treatment duration and the resultant fiber properties. Ali Khalili Gashtroudkhani, the lead author, remarked, "The results showed the surface treatment using plasma decreased the contact angle and also decreased the duration of absorption of acid droplets, thereby reducing costs."
Utilizing a low-temperature plasma process allowed the researchers to create favorable conditions for the cellulose fibers, which led to several beneficial physical changes such as improved acid attraction and enhanced nitrogen incorporation during nitration. The findings indicate the possibility of achieving acceptable levels of nitrogen content — typically between 11.8% and 12.2% — using lower acid-to-cellulose ratios than previously established methods.
Interestingly, the study identified the optimal acid-to-cellulose ratio as 1:40, rather than the conventional 1:60 to 1:80 usually employed. This alteration led to not only increased nitrator capacity but also enhanced efficiency during the cooking phase of nitrocellulose production.
Speaking on the results, the authors state, "By reducing the amount of acid, the percentage of nitrogen in nitrocellulose also decreases, making the process more eco-friendly.” The lacquer produced from the new nitrocellulose exhibited desirable attributes such as transparency and uniformity, marking a significant improvement over traditional nitrocellulose derivatives.
The researchers utilized various methods to characterize the cellulose before and after plasma treatment, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis revealed significant surface modifications, indicating the efficacy of the plasma treatment process.
Plasma technology, which generates chemically active species, has the potential to refine cellulose without the need for harsh chemicals, presenting a sustainable alternative for nitrocellulose production. With the advantages of efficiency, reduced environmental impacts, and cost-effectiveness, this innovative method may reshape the nitrocellulose manufacturing industry.
This research is poised to redefine standards for nitrocellulose production, providing insights not only for industrial applications but also potential medical uses, such as biomedical device manufacturing or pharmaceutical development. The compelling results of this study indicate promising avenues for future research toward improving other cellulose-derived products as well.
Overall, this study exemplifies the continued advancements within materials science and the creative ingeniosity applied toward producing high-demand materials sustainably.
The data supporting this study are available on request from the authors. This research was funded by the University of Zabol under Grant code IR-UOZ-GR-5071. No competing interests were declared.