THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK crystallinity of cellulose was reported by P. H . Hermans of t h e Instituut voor Celluloseonderzoek, Utrecht, T h e Netherlands. His results showed that native cotton fibers showed crystallinity of about 709£. Celluloses prepared from wood and bamboo fell within t h e range of 55 to 70r/c. H e stressed particularly the fact that rayons, regardless of t h e degree of orientation, mechanical strength, or manufacturing process, have equal crystallinity of about 409^. An investigation of t h e degradation of polyamides uncovered t h e fact that the polymer breaks at the C-N bond of the peptide group and that the nitrogen atom remains attached to the polymer molecule, according to Gordon M. Kline of t h e National Bureau of Standards. This work, undertaken with Bernard G. Achhammer and Frank N . Reinhart, also of the bureau, gave evidence that even the breaking of a very small proportion of t h e C-N bonds would result in an appreciable c h a n g e in physical characteristics. Loss of water, alcohols, or similarly dipole associated materials, accomplished by ultraviolet radiant energy, also results in appreciable changes in physical characteristics. These small molecules, which act a s plasticizers, are probably b o u n d b y some hydrogen bridging t o t h e oxygen of the peptide group or some other associated molecular complex, D r . Kline thought. T h e loss of these associated molecules a n d a decrease in t h e size of the polymer molecule tends to foster a n increase in crystallinity.
W a f e r Gas Production Using G r e a t e r Coke Supplies T h e significant growth in the use of coke for t h e manufacture of water gas destined for use as a starting material for chemical synthesis is noted in a recent Bureau of Mines report. The report, which analyzes distribution figures for oven and beehive coke in 1949, points out that of t h e quantity of coke used to manufacture water gas, 40'£ went toward the manufacture of t h e gas as a chemical raw material. From t h e geographical point of view, New York a n d West Virginia combined consumed 509£ of all coke delivered for the manufacture of water g a s . However, the ultimate use of the product in t h e two states is distinctly different. " I n N e w York, virtually all of t h e water gas is used as fuel, whereas in West Virginia, water gas is the starting point in the manufacture of chemicals," the report says. Over-all coke o u t p u t in 1949 w a s 159r lower t h a n in 1948, in the face of strong d e m a n d from industry. Work slow-ups and stoppages in t h e bituminous coal a n d steel industries for various periods during t h e latter part of last year were principal factors in reducing coke supply, according to t h e report. Outstanding feature in t h e coke trade since World W a r I I is t h e u p w a r d t r e n d in coke requirements for metallurgical purposes.
3594
George L . Royer of Calco C h e m i c a l is presented the 1950 Olney Medal for his contributions to textile chemistry b y C. Norris Rabold, AATCC president
M o r e A p p l i e d Research in Textiles U r g e d b y Royer C & E N REPORTS:
A m e r i c a n Association of T e x t i l e Chemists a n d Colorists
P O R T S M O U T H , N . H . - R e s u l t s of a considerable amount of fundamental research are available t o the textile scientists, said George Lewis Royer in r e c e i v i n g the 1950 Olney Medal here o n Sept. 2 8 , a n d therefore it seems that more emphasis should be placed upon applied research. Dr. Royer w a s addressing t h e American Association of Textile Chemists a n d Colorists which had selected h i m for this high honor in textile chemistry. T h e occasion was the a w a r d dinner, h i g h l i g h t of t h e association's annual meeting. Instead of trying to r e p e a t a n d make contributions in t h e field of p u r e a n d fundamental research, t h e medalist said, it seems more important t h a t efforts should be made to interpret a n d apply what is already known. This c a n n o t b e done b y the dyer and scientist a l o n e , b u t must b e accomplished b y t h e close cooperation of the two. T h e speaker had ample opportunity to observe t h e value of cooperative scientific endeavor. Since 1932 w h e n h e joined American Cyanamid's C a l c o Chemical D i vision, h e has been active in microscopy, spectrophotometry, and i n t h e very broad physical-chemical technology which is e m ployed in the application of dyes to textiles. Only a very- few must b e unaware of the fact that h e is c h a i r m a n of t h e North
CHEMICAL
Jersey Section of t h e A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L
SOCIETY, a n d that h e is a color microphotographer of more than ordinary ability (C&EN, Aug. 2 1 , page 2 8 8 6 ) . AATCC members w h o jammed Portsmouth's Weiitworth-by-the-Sea were given a chance to view this proficiency in color photography. During t h e delivery of his paper color photos were projected on four screens, two at each end of the dining hall, portraying t h e various phases of a d y e ing problem, or of noted associates in t h e field of textile chemistry here a n d abroad. It was a welcome relief from t h e usual black and white graphs with their curves, formula, a n d numerical data, valuable as they may b e . Dr. Royer's medal address took u p dyeing and finishing problems in wool; dyeing at various temperatures; the dyeing of nylon, cotton, a n d viscose rayon; union dyeing ( in which t w o or more fibers a r e blended t o g e t h e r ) ; textile printing; a n d textile finishing. There can be little doubt, h e said, from a review of t h e literature b u t that in some cases the dyeing of wool is a n acidbase chemical reaction, in which t h e d y e combines with t h e protein in t h e wool. However, others have presented further evidence to show that in some cases t h e dye is held in place b y a chemical bonding like hydrogen bonding.
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In other cases there is definite evidence that some dyes are held in the wool mechanically as a solid or in solution in the wool. It is evident that various physical factors enter into the dyeing operation and influence the speed or rate at which the dyeing takes place. These physical factors may also make possible the binding of all or part of the dye in some cases by a mechanical process. The importance of the morphological structure of wool and the nature of the dye solution and its deposition on the fiber were factors given considerable attention at Calco. In addition to the effect of the structure within a single wool fiber which influences its dyeing, there is the variation in the physical properties from fiber to fiber. This variation is obviously due to the heterogeneous nature of wool caused by variation in source, growth, weather, and many other conditions which have an effect upon the wool fiber. This variation in structure from fiber to fiber leads to a phenomenon known as "tippy dyeing," described by W. Von Bergen in 1923. The speaker stated that the microscope along with simple cross sectioning techniques has proved to be an excellent tool for studying the location of dye from fiber to fiber. He reviewed the work conducted by himself and others on uneven wool dyeing called "skitterness." At Calco, the rate and extent of exhaustion of dye from a dye bath have been given considerable attention. The instrument known as the Dyeometer was developed to obtain this data under controlled conditions. Various methods of chrome dyeing were resorted to in an effort to obtain greater fastness to light and to washing. The dyeing behavior of cellulose acetate rayon has been considered unusual, h e said. After reviewing the work of others in this field he felt that further consideration will have to be given to the mechanism of cellulose acetate dyeing by giving thought to the theoretical aspects as they develop in the general field of dyeing. New and better dyestuffs may be developed as regards fastness and ease of application because of similarities between the dyeing of acetate and nylon. Mechanism of Attachment In nylon, the work of others suggested that the mechanism of attachment of acetate dyes on nylon is probably similar to that on acetate rayon. Other work has indicated that dyes of this type are attached to acetate by hydrogen bonding to the carbonyl oxygen of the ester groupings. In nylon they anticipate that it would be attached to the carbonyl oxygen of the amide group. (The work of Vio kerstoff, Fern, Carlene, Marsden, and Urquhart was cited in this connection.) More research will have to be done on the hydrogen bonding theory before it can receive acceptance. In his discussion on cotton and viscose rayon, Dr. Royer referred to previous reV O L U M E
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