There continues to be a large amount of interest in utilizing cellulose, an inexpensive and renewable biomacromolecule, as a foundation for synthesizing new materials with task-specific properties. Towards this end, we have developed a synthetic route for functionalizing cellulose with various ionic liquid-containing groups through a key azide-alkyne ‘click’ cyclization strategy. Functionalization of cellulose with an ionic side chain led to many interesting changes in the thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties of the materials. Enhancements in conductivity as high as 6-orders of magnitude were found when compared to native cellulose. In addition to creating the aforementioned structure-activity studies, we have also recently begun studying the effect that ionic liquids have as solvents on these new cellulosic materials. Towards this end, solution rheology and conductivity data will also be presented as discussed. Finally, recent efforts in the electrospinning of our ionic liquid-functionalized cellulosic materials will be presented. As many ionic liquids have been found to have an affinity for greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, we hope to harness the power of electrospinning to create fibrous mats which could help trap and/or separate carbon dioxide from other light gases.

Characterization of ionic liquid-functionalized cellulosic materials and their properties in ionic liquid solutions

ACS Spring 2022

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