Molten salt hydrates have been proven to be alternative cellulose solvents. In this study, we report a new molten salt hydrate - LiBr�3H2O. It was found that celluloses were soluble in 61.7% aqueous lithium bromide (LiBr�3H2O) at 140 ?. Polarization microscopy was used to study the process of cellulose dissolution. The results revealed that cellulose was dissolved completely. The solubility of the cellulose in LiBr�3H2O was dependent on crystallinity and the degree of polymerization of the cellulose. The dissolved cellulose could be regenerated by cooling the solution and diluting the solution with water. No substantial decrease in molecular weight of cellulose was observed after the dissolution. The regenerated cellulose was almost amorphous cellulose. The mechanism of dissolution of cellulose in LiBr�3H2O was also discussed.

Dissolution of cellulose in aqueous lithium bromide solution

245th National Meeting (2013)

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