Summary of Application
The Past Application
In the past, the cellulose acetate based on cotton or biopolymer was used as a synthetic fiber. Then, the cellulose fiber was replaced by petro-based fibers due to their cheaper prices.
In 1934,the cellulose acetate was made as a film to replace the cellulose nitrate film. However, when the acetate film exposed to heat or moisture, it would emit acid gas known as “vinegar syndrome”. Then the cellulose acetate film was replaced by polyester film stock.
In 1952, the cellulose acetate magnetic tape was invented to replace the metal tape due to the lighter weight. Then the cellulose acetate magnetic was replaced by PET film magnetic tape because of its instability.
The Present Application
Nowadays, the main use of cellulose acetate is to make the filter of cigarette. And sometimes, the cellulose acetate could be used to make tool handles, steering wheel covers, spectacle frames, pens, packaging, toys and models[14]
The Future Application
Cellulose Acetate is abundant and renewable material which is an ideal filter material. Thus, the tendency of application of cellulose acetate is absorbent. Now we would show two examples of future applications(unused widely).
The first is a novel NH2-functionalized cellulose acetate/silicon composite nanofibrous membrane with adsorption properties in wastewater treatment. To obtain the composite membrane, the combining sol-gel and electrospinning methods should be used[16]
The figure.1.a shows the SEM image of the NH2-functionalized cellulose acetate/silicon composite nanofibrous membrane. And the figure.1.b shows the SEM image of the composite membrane after water treatment.
The second one is cellulose bead. The cellulose bead with spherical shaped is obtained from cellulose acetate by dispersion and chemical reaction as the figure.2.
The figure.3. shows the micro-structure of cellulose bead. The cellulose bead are used as adsorbent for controlled releasing of pharmaceuticals and as medium for separation[17]