A Cigarette filter is an element of a cigarette, in addition to cigarette paper, capsules and adhesives. The filter may be made from cellulose acetate fibre, paper or activated charcoal (either as a cavity filter or embedded in to the cellulose acetate). Macroporous phenol-formaldehyde resins and asbestos are also found in cigarette filters The acetate and paper get a new particulate smoke phase by particle retention (filtration), and finely divided carbon modifies the gaseous phase (adsorption). Filters can reduce “tar” and nicotine smoke yields as much as 50%, using a greater removal rate for other classes of compounds (e.g., phenols), but they are ineffective in filtering toxins like co. Most factory-made cigarettes come with a filter; those who roll their very own can find them coming from a tobacconist.
Cellulose acetate is created by esterifying bleached cotton or wood pulp with acetic acid. From the three cellulose hydroxy groups intended for esterification, between two and three are esterified by manipulating the level of acid (degree of substitution (DS) 2.35-2.55). The ester is spun into fibers and formed into bundles called filter tow. Flavors (menthol), sweeteners, softeners (triacetin), flame retardants (sodium tungstate), breakable capsules releasing flavors on demand, and additives colouring the cigarette smoke may be included with cigarette filters. 5 largest manufactures of filter tow are Hoechst-Celanese and Eastman Chemicals in the usa, Rhodia Acetow in Germany, Daicel in Japan, and Courtaulds in england.
Starch glues or emulsion-based adhesives are used for gluing cigarette seams. Hot-melt and emulsion-based adhesives can be used for filter seams. Emulsion-based adhesives can be used for bonding the filters on the cigarettes.
Cellulose acetate is non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, and weakly flammable. It really is resistance against weak acids which is largely stable to mineral and fatty oils in addition to petroleum. It is biodegradable as well as the raw material is a renewable natural polymer anticipated to find application for other uses in the future. Smoked cigarette butts contain 5-7 mg nicotine (about 25% in the total cigarette nicotine content), children ingesting >2 whole cigarettes, 6 cigarette butts or even a total of 0.5 mg/kg of nicotine needs to be admitted with a hospital. Cellulose acetate is hydrophilic and retains the water-soluble smoke constituents, of which the majority are irritating (acids, alkali, aldehydes, and phenols), while letting through the lipophilic aromatic compounds.
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