What is Cotton Definition Chemical Composition Properties and Uses
Cotton is the most important fibre crop produced in India because of the variety of its applications in all fields. Cotton is a Kharif crop that requires approximately 8 months to cultivate. Although in Tamil Nadu, cotton is grown both as a Kharif as well as a rabi crop. In Punjab and Haryana, it is sown in the months of April-May and harvested in the season of December- January. Cotton cultivation has been practiced in India for ages.
Even the Vedic scriptures of India talk about cotton cultivation, cotton spinning, and weaving. India used to dominate the global market due to its flourishing cotton industry but in the 18th century, it was taken over by the British who systematically destroyed the cotton industry in India to fuel the industrial revolution in Europe. Cotton has had a great impact on Indian history and was an iconic statement for the Freedom movement as it figured even on the famous spinning wheel or Charkha of Gandhi Ji.
Types and Uses of Cotton
There are basically four types of commercially grown cotton which are:-
Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium arboreum
Gossypium herbaceum
Cotton also has various uses in the industrial and domestic sector such as:
It is very widely used in the textile industry. The use of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts.
It is also used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove the placenta.
The Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods.
Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers.
Levant cotton seeds are also used as food and for oil extraction.
It is used for making bedsheets.
It is used in the manufacture of coffee filters.
Uses of cotton fibres are because of its specific characteristics such as cotton fibres are soft, cool, breathable, very good absorbent etc. few uses of cotton fibres are listed below–
It is widely used in the textile industry. Uses of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts.
It is largely used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove placenta.
Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods.
Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers.
Levant cotton seeds are used as food and for oil extraction.
It is used in making bed sheets.
It is used in coffee filters.
It is used in making highly absorbent cloths for cleaning purposes.
Cotton plants are used to feed cattle.
Cotton fibre is used in making cords and ropes.
It is used in making cord for car tyres, plastic reinforcing.
Cotton seed is used in plastics, explosives, high quality paper, cushions, flat panel television screens.
It is used in computer chip boards as well.
Cotton seed oil is used in margarine, salad dressing, in manufacturing of candles, soaps and detergents, artificial leather etc.
Fibre from stalks is used for pressed paper and cardboard.
Conclusion:
India is one of the largest producers of Cotton and exporters as well. One might find it interesting how cotton is produced. Students can look up this article for everything they need on the topic.
FAQs on Cotton Natural Cellulose Fiber in Chemistry
1. What is cotton made of in chemical terms?
Cotton is chemically composed of cellulose, a natural polymer with the repeating unit (C6H10O5)n.
- Cellulose is a polysaccharide made of many β-D-glucose units.
- These glucose units are linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
- Cotton fibers typically contain 90–95% cellulose, making them highly hydrophilic and biodegradable.
2. What is the chemical formula of cellulose in cotton?
The chemical formula of cellulose in cotton is (C6H10O5)n, where n represents the number of repeating glucose units.
- Each repeating unit comes from glucose (C6H12O6) after loss of one molecule of water during polymerization.
- The large value of n (often thousands) makes cellulose a high-molecular-mass polymer.
- This long-chain structure gives cotton its strength and flexibility.
3. Why is cotton considered a polymer?
Cotton is considered a polymer because it consists of long chains of repeating glucose monomers linked together to form cellulose.
- A polymer is a large molecule made from many small repeating units called monomers.
- In cotton, the monomer is β-D-glucose.
- These monomers join via condensation reactions forming β(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
4. What type of chemical bond holds the cellulose units together in cotton?
The cellulose units in cotton are held together by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds, which are covalent bonds between glucose molecules.
- These bonds form between the hydroxyl (-OH) group of one glucose and the anomeric carbon of another.
- They are created through a condensation reaction that removes H2O.
- Extensive hydrogen bonding between chains further strengthens cotton fibers.
5. Is cotton biodegradable and why?
Yes, cotton is biodegradable because it is made of natural cellulose, which microorganisms can break down.
- Cellulose contains β(1→4) linked glucose units that enzymes like cellulase can hydrolyze.
- Hydrolysis breaks glycosidic bonds, producing glucose.
- This makes cotton environmentally friendly compared to many synthetic polymers.
6. What happens when cotton burns? Write the chemical reaction.
When cotton burns, its cellulose undergoes complete combustion to form carbon dioxide and water. The simplified balanced reaction for one repeating unit is:
- C6H10O5(s) + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 5H2O(g)
- Heat and light are released.
- Incomplete combustion may produce carbon (soot) or CO.
7. Why is cotton highly absorbent in terms of chemistry?
Cotton is highly absorbent because cellulose contains many hydroxyl (-OH) groups that form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
- Each glucose unit in cellulose has three free –OH groups.
- These groups interact with H2O through hydrogen bonding.
- This makes cotton hydrophilic and able to retain moisture.
8. What is mercerization of cotton in chemistry?
Mercerization is a chemical treatment of cotton with concentrated NaOH(aq) to improve its strength, luster, and dye uptake.
- Cotton is treated with sodium hydroxide solution under tension.
- This causes structural changes in cellulose, increasing fiber alignment.
- After washing and neutralization, the fiber shows improved dye affinity.
9. What is the difference between cotton and synthetic fibers in chemical composition?
The main difference is that cotton is a natural polymer of cellulose, while synthetic fibers are man-made polymers derived from petrochemicals.
- Cotton: (C6H10O5)n, biodegradable, hydrophilic.
- Polyester (example): formed from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, contains ester functional groups.
- Synthetic fibers are usually hydrophobic and less biodegradable.
10. How is cellulose in cotton hydrolyzed?
Cellulose in cotton is hydrolyzed by breaking its β(1→4) glycosidic bonds using acids or enzymes to produce glucose.
- Acid hydrolysis uses dilute acids and heat.
- Enzymatic hydrolysis uses cellulase.
- The reaction reverses the condensation process that formed cellulose.
