Application of Chemical and Thermal Analysis Methods for Studying Cellulose Ester Plastics

摘要

Cellulose acetate, developed about 100 years ago as a versatile, semisyn-nthetic plastic material, is used in a variety of applications and is perhapsnbest known as the basis of photographic film stock. Objects made wholly ornpartly from cellulose acetate are an important part of modern and contempo-nrary cultural heritage, particularly in museum collections. Given the potentialninstability of the material, however, it is imperative to understand the agingnmechanisms and deterioration pathways of cellulose ester plastics to mitigatendecomposition and formulate guidelines for storage, exhibition, and conserva-ntion. One important aspect of this process is the ability to fully characterize thenplastic, because variations in composition affect its aging properties and ulti-nmate stability. In this Account, we assess the potential of a range of analytical techniques for plastics made from cellulosenacetate, cellulose propionate, and cellulose butyrate.