| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for producing water-insoluble cellulose fibers having high carboxyl content by reacting cellulose fiber in suspension with dicarboxylic acid anhydride or chloride in the presence of a basic catalyst. The fibers produced possess a unique combination of high carboxyl content in the range of 100 to 4000 meq/kg, and high average viscosity, in the range of 0.5 to 12 dl/g. The carboxylated cellulose fibers according the invention ca n be made with a combination of carboxyl content and average viscosity which a re suitable for use in numerous applications, including absorbent products, health care products, specialty papers, adhesives, detergents, biodegradable fibers, precursors for aqueous coatings and ion exchange fibers. |