Cellulose is obtained from cotton, wood, and other plants. Cellulose is natural cellulose macromolecules with repeating anhydroglucose units (b(1-4)D glcuopyrranose).  On each unit, there are three available hydroxyl groups.  These hydroxyl groups serve as sites for water molecules absorption by establishing many hydrogen bonds with the cellulose macromolecules. Cotton fibers are composed of 95% cellulose. After scouring and bleaching, cotton fibers are composed 100% of cellulose.  The degree of polymerization of cellulose in cotton fibers varies between 8,000 and 15,000.  Cotton fibers are directly spun into yarn and then woven or knitted fabrics are made.  Wood contains about 40-50% cellulose.  Cellulose from wood is converted to fibers through different chemical processes.  Rayon, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate, and lyocell are the major commercial fibers manufactured.  The objective of this special issue is to focus on the main cellulose fibers: cotton, rayon (viscose), cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, and lyocell.  Original research as well as review papers were invited for this special issue. All published papers are open access and you can find them here.

Dr. Noureddine Abidi
Prof. Dr. Pedro Fardim
Prof. Dr. Kecheng Li
Guest Editors