Complexation of hydrazine with native cellulose in water and toluene

Adsorption-complexation of cellulose by hydrazine solutions in water and toluene was studied for native cellulose of varied crystallinity. Penetration of hydrazine into cellulose takes place more readily in hydrazine solution of higher concentration and with cellulose of lower crystallinity, but the equilibrium uptake was nearly independent of crystallinity. Complexation from toluene solution takes place at lower hydrazine concentration in toluene than in water, presumably because of the difference in hydrazine-solvent interaction. The adsorption isotherm of hydrazine in water is likely to be sigmoid, implying a cooperative sorption mechanism. It can presumably be ascribed to the disordered structure in the course of complexation.