Cellobiose was used to model chemical processes taking place during the weathering of cotton fiber cellulose. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the products of cellobiose degradation were D-glucose and organic acids under Fenton-type conditions (ferrous ion plus H₂O₂). Hydrogen peroxide was added directly or photochemically generated in situ by the action of uv light upon aqueous ferrous ammonium sulfate.

Effects on D-cellobiose degradation caused by added peroxide or ferrous ion were monitored at varying concentrations and under uv light and dark conditions. Increasing concentrations of peroxide or ferrous ion resulted in greater degradation. Samples exposed to uv light (350 nm) experienced greater degradation than those not exposed.