Effect of self-assembly via π-stacking to morphology and crystallinity on tritylated cellulose

A new interaction between assembled tritylated cellulose (6TC) chains was seen when cellulose was selectively substituted at C-6 position. This obtained interaction was concluded to arise from the pi-pi stacking between the trityl moieties on cellulose backbone and was evident front SEM images as highly orientated Structure as well as from XRD diffractogram as sharp reflections giving the average distance between trityl groups on adjacent chains to be 5.6 angstrom. This was in good correlation with data from the simplified molecular model (similar to 6 angstrom). The effect of DS value and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the self-assembly ability of trityl cellulose and thereby, on the morphology and crystallinity was also investigated. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.