Evaluation of fine structure of cuprammonium regenerated cellulose hollow fibers revealed by interference colors with polarizing microscope

We intend to reveal the fine structure of regenerated cellulose fibers in a solvent from the change in interference color observed by polarizing microscopy. Two kinds of cellulose hollow fibers, which show different contribution in the orientation between the molecular chains and the intermolecular hydrogen bond (plane orientation), were used. The interference colors of fibers changed with the immersing solvent. The orientation of the solvent molecules adsorbed on the interfacial surface (order adsorption) was deduced from the interference color. This order adsorption was affected by the orientation property of the fiber. The thermal molecular motion and the change in fine structure can be evaluated quantitatively through the change in interference color with increasing temperature. The temperature dependence of the color related closely to the diffusion of solvent molecules.