The finding of new cellulose solvents is the key issue for using cellulose, the most abundant natural polymers. The finding of new cellulose was mainly based on the “try and error” method. In this work, the mechanism of dissolution of cellulose will be discussed by the consideration of the interactions between cellulose and small molecules of the solvent systems. Firstly, we revisited the classic DMAc/LiCl system by using FTIR, NMR, etc. We find thatcomplex can be formed between DMAc and LiCl. The molar ratio of LiCl to DMAc is about 1:6, which is accordance with the content LiCl (about 8wt%) that have been used for dissolving cellulose in the DMAc/LiCl. During the dissolution, Cl<sup>–</sup> anions directly interact with –OH groups on cellulose chains by which to break the hydrogen bonding network of cellulose and the cellulose chains can be further stabilized by the DMAc-Li<sup>+</sup> complex through the charge interaction, by which cellulose can be dissolved in the system. For the solvent systems of NaOH, we investigated the interactions between the different ions in the system and the effects of additives, such as urea, ZnO, etc. on the interactions of between cellulose and the small molecules in the system by using NMR, calorimetry, FTIR, and so on, by which we can answer why 7wt% NaOH should be used to dissolve cellulose in the NaOH/urea aqueous system and why the low temperature is favorite for the dissolution of cellulose in the system. Our purpose is to understanding the interactions between cellulose and small molecules in the solvent systems, by which we can understanding the mysterious of the dissolution of cellulose and could point out the key points for the design and regulation of cellulose solvent systems in the future.

Interactions between cellulose and small molecules

249th National Meeting (2015)

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