Quantitative data concerning the state of solvation of cellulose derivatives dispersed in solvent-non solvent systems is rather limited. Since such derivatives possess a high commercial importance largely because of their ability to be dispersed and regenerated from solvent-non solvent systems by manipulation of the solution phase of the system, such data are highly desirable from the purely practical viewpoint. Likewise, from the purely theoretical viewpoint, such data are desirable in the investigation of problems involving fractional precipitation techniques, studies in film and filament formation and in the elucidation or a number of similar basic phenomena of current interest.

Specifically, the aim of this investigation is to study, quantitatively, the changes in solvation of a sample of cellulose nitrate in an acetone-water solvent-non solvent system as the composition of the liquid phase is varied over a range from solvent rich to solvent poor.