Question

Are the pores formed by the cellulose fibers best suited for allowing the passage of polar or nonpolar molecules? Briefly explain your answer in terms of the functional groups of the cellulose polymer.

Answer 1

Cellulose is the basis of all natural (eq. Cotton) and artificial cellulosic fibers (eg. rayon).

Cellulose is a polysaccaride (polymer of glucose molecules that form long, straight chains), These made up of repeating 1,4-8-an hydroglucose units connected to each other by 8-ether linkages.

(2 D figure, Blue molecule: Glucose) , Pic is given for better undestanding.

These parallel straight chains form linkages with one another by weak vaderwaal forces hydrogen bonding to make strong fibers.

From the 2-D representation we can conclude that Cavity (from which the molecules pass) contains a lot of Hydroxyl groups (-OH functional groups). So based on like dissolves like, polar molecules can pass through cellulose fibers.