Editing Rayon (section)

{{Short description|Cellulose-based semi-synthetic fiber}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Rayon synthesis.webm|thumb|When a solution of cellulose in [[Schweizer's reagent|cuprammonium hydroxide]] comes into contact with sulfuric acid, the cellulose begins to precipitate from the solution. The acid reacts with a complex compound of copper and dissolves it, and thin blue fibers of rayon are formed. After some time, the acid reacts with the complex compound and washes out the copper salts from the fibers, which become colorless.]]

'''Rayon''', also called '''viscose'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.swicofil.com/commerce/products/viscose/278/introduction.html |title=Viscose CV Introduction |website=Swicofil.com }}</ref> and commercialised in some countries as '''sabra silk''' or '''cactus silk''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weaving a Story |url=https://www.franklintill.com/journal/weaving-a-story |publisher=Franklin Till |archive-date=2023-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928145111/https://www.franklintill.com/journal/weaving-a-story }}</ref> is a [[semi-synthetic fiber]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Differences Between Synthetic, Semi-synthetic, & Natural Fibers |url=https://www.naturalclothing.com/synthetic-semi-synthetic-natural/ |access-date=2025-05-13 }}</ref> made from natural sources of regenerated [[cellulose fiber|cellulose]], such as wood and related agricultural products.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kauffman |first=George B. |date=1993 |title=Rayon: The First Semi-Synthetic Fiber Product |journal=Journal of Chemical Education |volume=70 |issue=11 |doi=10.1021/ed070p887 |bibcode=1993JChEd..70..887K |page=887 }}</ref> It has the same molecular structure as cellulose. Many types and grades of viscose fibers and films exist. Some imitate the feel and texture of [[natural fiber]]s such as [[silk]], [[wool]], [[cotton]], and [[linen]]. The types that resemble silk are often called [[artificial silk]]. It can be woven or knit to make textiles for clothing and other purposes.<ref name="UllCell">{{Ullmann |first1=Hans |last1=Krässig |first2=Josef |last2=Schurz |first3=Robert G. |last3=Steadman |first4=Karl |last4=Schliefer |first5=Wilhelm |last5=Albrecht |first6=Marc |last6=Mohring |first7=Harald |last7=Schlosser |date=2002 |title=Cellulose |doi=10.1002/14356007.a05_375.pub2 }}</ref>

Rayon production involves [[solubilizing]] cellulose to allow turning the fibers into required form. Three common solubilization methods are:

* The [[Cuprammonium rayon|cuprammonium]] process (not in use today), using [[ammonia]]cal solutions of copper salts<ref name="Burchard 1994">{{cite journal |last1=Burchard |first1=Walther |last2=Habermann |first2=Norbert |last3=Klüfers |first3=Peter |last4=Seger |first4=Bernd |last5=Wilhelm |first5=Ulf |date=1994 |title=Cellulose in Schweizer's Reagent: A Stable, Polymeric Metal Complex with High Chain Stiffness |journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English |volume=33 |issue=8 |doi=10.1002/anie.199408841 |pages=884–887 }}</ref>
* The viscose process, the most common today,<ref name="SciAm 2009">{{cite magazine |last=Nijhuis |first=Michelle |date=June 2009 |title=Bamboo Boom: Is This Material for You? |magazine=[[Scientific American]] |volume=19 |issue=2 |doi=10.1038/scientificamericanearth0609-60 |doi-broken-date=3 May 2025 |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bamboo-boom/ |bibcode=2009SciAm..19f..60N |pages=60–65 |access-date=2025-05-19 }}</ref><ref name="Radio National 2017">{{cite AV media |last1=Swan |first1=Norman |last2=Blanc |first2=Paul |date=20 February 2017 |title=The Health Burden of Viscose Rayon |work=[[Radio National]] |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/the-health-burden-of-viscose-rayon/8286870 |access-date=2025-05-22 }}</ref> using [[alkali]] and [[carbon disulfide]]
* The [[Lyocell]] process, using [[amine oxide]], avoids producing neurotoxic carbon disulfide but is more expensive<ref name="brief">{{cite journal |date=2018 |title=Regenerated Cellulose by the Lyocell Process, a Brief Review of the Process and Properties |url=https://bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu/resources/regenerated-cellulose-by-the-lyocell-process-a-brief-review-of-the-process-and-properties/ |journal=BioResources }}</ref><ref name="Tierney 2005">{{cite thesis |last=Tierney |first=John |date=December 2005 |title=Kinetics of Cellulose Dissolution in N-Methyl Morpholine-N-Oxide and Evaporative Processes of Similar Solutions |url=https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/2553/ }}</ref>{{Page needed|date=May 2025}}