Accelerated degradation of cellulose acetate cigarette filters using controlled-release acid catalysis

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 14; no. 8; pp. 2266 - 2272
• Main Authors: Robertson, Raymond M, Thomas, William C, Suthar, Jitendrakumar N, Brown, David M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Cellulose and derivatives; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanisms; Natural polymers; Organic chemistry; Physicochemistry of polymers; Reactivity and mechanisms; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Water; Encapsulation; Artificial fiber; Coating material; Control release polymer; Acid catalysis; Reaction rate; Organic acids; Energy barrier; Phosphorus Organic compounds; Cigarette; Degradation; Hydrolysis; Ester; Tobacco; Cellulose derivatives; Organic sulfate; Organic phosphate; Acetic acid; Cellulose acetate; Protection; Weak acid; Catalyst
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/c2gc16635f

It is estimated that 6.3 trillion cigarettes will be consumed worldwide in 2010. A significant percentage of the used filters will be discarded improperly into the environment. Of the filter components, the plasticized cellulose acetate fibers have the slowest degradation rate (up to years). A rate-limiting step is the hydrolysis of cellulose acetate polymer into cellulose and acetic acid, which is extremely slow under ambient conditions. The hydrolysis rate is accelerated using the controlled release of acid. This release is achieved using encapsulated weak organic acid(s) with benign sulfate/phosphate esters. Encapsulation creates a barrier between the catalyst(s) and the cellulose acetate fibers in the filter. This coating protects the cigarette filter's integrity and function until it is smoked and discarded. Once discarded, the filter's encapsulation is breached by environmental water (rain, dew, etc .), which triggers the release of catalyst and then initiates hydrolysis. It is estimated that 6.3 trillion cigarettes will be consumed worldwide in 2010.