Nitrocellulose

From WikiMD's Medical Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Dinitrocellulose)

Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, and flash string) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. When used as a propellant or low-order explosive, it was originally known as guncotton.

History[edit]

Nitrocellulose was first created by Henri Braconnot in 1832. In 1838, another French chemist, Théophile-Jules Pelouze, began industrial production. The process used by Pelouze involved the immersion of cotton (a form of pure cellulose) in a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Production[edit]

The production of nitrocellulose is relatively simple. It involves the reaction of cellulose with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids. This reaction is highly exothermic and can lead to an explosion if not carefully controlled. The nitrocellulose is then purified and dried.

Uses[edit]

Nitrocellulose has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history. It was initially used as a replacement for gunpowder due to its superior stability and performance. Today, it is used in a variety of applications, including the production of smokeless powder, lacquers, and celluloid.

Safety[edit]

Due to its highly flammable nature, nitrocellulose must be handled with care. It can explode if subjected to heat, friction, or shock. In addition, it can decompose over time, producing potentially harmful gases.

See also[edit]

This article is a stub related to chemistry. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!


Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

W8MD's happy loser(weight)

Tired of being overweight?

Special offer:

Budget GLP-1 weight loss medications

  • Semaglutide starting from $29.99/week and up with insurance for visit of $59.99 and up per week self pay.
  • Tirzepatide starting from $45.00/week and up (dose dependent) or $69.99/week and up self pay

✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends

Learn more:

Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Nitrocellulose&oldid=6341411"