Hydrophobically modified cellulose fibers and method for producing same

Abstract

A method for producing hydrophobically modified cellulose fibers efficiently with a small amount of a hydrophobic modifier. The method for producing the cellulose fibers includes preparing an aqueous solution having a cellulose fiber concentration of 0.5 mass % or more and 50 mass % or less and a base concentration of 1 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less by mixing cellulose fibers, a base, and water; reacting the cellulose fibers and a cyclic amide compound by adding, to the aqueous solution, the cyclic amide compound in an amount of 0.2 equivalents or more and 10 equivalents or less relative to an amount of anhydroglucose units contained in the cellulose fibers; and neutralizing the base by further adding an acid to the aqueous solution.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.