Ion-Exchange Separations on Chemically Modified Cellulose

Abstract

IN a study of methods for flame-proofing cotton fabrics, Dr. J. D. Guthrie et al., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, have prepared a number of chemically modified cellulose fabrics and have described¹ their ion-exchange properties. The same workers have modified the pH of sample solutions obtained during the preparation of protein from oil seed² by addition of phosphorylated and aminated cotton fabrics. While suitable for this type of operation, the modified cellulose in fabric form is not a convenient material on which to carry out chromatographic separations, and the possibility of converting the fabric to pulp and then to paper has been explored. Using aminated and phosphorylated cotton fabrics as starting materials, experimental sheets of paper have been prepared by W. and R. Balston, Ltd., which have since been examined at the Chemical Research Laboratory. The preparation of sheets of paper with suitable chromatographic properties is still in the experimental stage; but the separation of a number of inorganic mixtures has been achieved with the materials so far available.