The structure characterization of cellulose xanthogenate derived from the straw of Eichhornia crassipes

Alkali-treated straw and cellulose xanthogenate were derived from shoot and root biomass of Eichhornia crassipes by treatment with NaOH and CS2, respectively. The structures of the raw and modified plant materials were characterized by XRD, TGA/DTA, and FTIR. Alkali treatment increased the crystallinity of raw plant material, while the subsequent CS2 treatment had the reverse effect. The thermal stability of the plant material was diminished by alkali treatment but was restored by subsequent CS2 treatment. Alkali treatment removed most of the lignin and hemicellulose from the raw plant material, whereas the formation of cellulose xanthogenate introduced new CS and O–CS–S functional groups.