Rayon, a semi synthetic fibre, is manufactured from which of the following raw materials?

Introduction / Context:

This question belongs to basic chemistry and textile science. Rayon is often called artificial silk and is widely used in clothing and household fabrics. It is neither a purely natural fibre like cotton nor a fully synthetic fibre like nylon; instead, it is described as semi synthetic. Knowing its raw material helps in understanding how cellulose based fibres are processed in industry.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Rayon is classified as a regenerated cellulose fibre.
• It is produced by chemically treating a natural source of cellulose.
• Options include natural fibres such as silk, wool and cotton, and other industrial inputs.
• We assume the standard viscose rayon process used in textbooks.

Concept / Approach:

Rayon is made from cellulose, which is a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. Industrially, cellulose is obtained mainly from wood pulp. The wood pulp is treated with chemicals to form a viscous solution, which is then forced through spinnerets to form fibres that are regenerated as cellulose. This is why rayon is called regenerated cellulose. The approach is to identify which option represents a cellulose rich plant material used in this process.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Chemistry and textile references describe viscose rayon production starting from wood pulp. The pulp is treated with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide to form a cellulose xanthate solution, which is then extruded into an acid bath to regenerate cellulose fibres. This process specifically cites wood pulp as the initial input. Cotton based rayon exists but is less common in basic textbook discussions, which reinforces the answer wood pulp for exam purposes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Silk is a natural protein fibre obtained from silkworm cocoons and is not used as raw material to make rayon. Wool is another animal protein fibre from sheep or other animals and again is not converted into rayon. Cotton lint is a natural cellulose fibre already suitable for spinning into yarn and is not the typical feedstock in standard rayon descriptions. Polyester chips are petrochemical based raw materials used to make polyester, a fully synthetic fibre that is different from rayon. Therefore, these options do not match the usual source of rayon.

Common Pitfalls:

Students may be misled by the term artificial silk and assume that silk itself is involved in rayon production. Others may choose polyester chips because they associate synthetic sounding names with chemical chips, forgetting that rayon is not a purely synthetic polymer. Some might also pick cotton because it is plant based, but the standard textbook answer emphasises wood pulp. Remembering that rayon is regenerated cellulose from wood pulp helps keep the concept clear.

Final Answer:

Rayon is manufactured by chemically processing cellulose obtained from Wood pulp.