The effect of zinc nitrate on the cellulose dissolution in NaOH was clarified herein. The cellulose solubility of in NaOH increased from 15 to 88 % with the zinc nitrate content increased from 1 to 5 wt%, indicating the improvement of the cellulose dissolution by zinc nitrate, which was a physical process and no chemical reaction happened. Dynamic light scattering tests demonstrated the ordinary solution property of cellulose in NaOH/zinc nitrate, as well as extended chain conformation. On the other hand, the zinc nitrate also enhanced the stability of the cellulose solution in NaOH, indicating the zinc nitrate not only improved the dissolution, but also prevented the cellulose from aggregation, leading to potential applications. Furthermore, regenerated cellulose microspheres with ZnO crystals were successfully fabricated via emulsion approach, demonstrating potentials in various fields.

Dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/zinc nitrate at low temperature

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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