The dissolution of cellulose in 6-9 wt% NaOH-water is known to be hampered by cellulose high molecular weight and concentration. These solutions are also geling with time and temperature increase. Incomplete dissolution leads to the presence of non-dissolved fibers or their fragments. How does the residual solid cellulose influence the gelation and the properties of materials prepared from such system?<br/>In this work, pulps from wood (birch) and alfa (Stipa tenacissima) were dissolved in 8 wt% NaoH-water. First, we studied the dissolution limit (residual solid cellulose content) of the dissolving pulp of various degree of polymerization. Then, the rheological properties of cellulose solutions in the presence of non-dissolved entities were investigated focusing on the gelation kinetics. Finally, all-cellulose composites were prepared using dissolved pulps as continuous phase and either softwood or alfa fibers as reinforcement. Morphology, density, crystallinity, cellulose I content and mechanical properties of the composites were studied and correlated with the presence of non-dissolved cellulose originating from the incomplete dissolution of the pulp.<br/><br/>

Cellulose-NaOH solutions: Influence of non-dissolved fibers on solution gelation and properties of all-cellulose composites

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.