Cellulose is considered the most abundant natural polymer on earth.  Its insolubility in water and in most organic solvents limits its application for the preparation of new biomaterials. In this research, we report on the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMimCl). Microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose from cotton fibers were used in this research.  Pre-treatment with microwave plasma was used to investigate its effect in enhancing the solubility. The objective of plasma treatment is to cleave bonds and facilitate the diffusion of the ionic liquid between the cellulose macromolecule chains for effective dissolution. The preparation of “bio-component” regenerated fiber (cellulose-chitin) was also investigated. The regenerated biomaterials (cellulose and cellulose-chitin) were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis.

Dissolution, regeneration, and characterization of cellulose and cellulose/chitin in ionic liquid

249th National Meeting (2015)

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