Ionic liquids are now well established as uniquely capable biopolymer solvents. This has opened new avenues for biomass processing and new opportunities for fundamental studies of biopolymers on a molecular level. One such study is gaining an understanding of the solvent effect, during regeneration, on biopolymer properties and related biocompatibility. We know post-regeneration processes like the choice of drying method can significantly alter the final properties and plays a major role in the pore sizes, surface areas, and mechanical properties of the dried polymer. But what about the choice of regeneration environment? And what is the effect on biocompatibility?<br/>This study presents an investigation on how the choice of regeneration solvent may be used to control the material properties and biocompatibility of regenerated cellulose. To explore these questions, ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) cellulose solutions are regenerated in a variety of protic antisolvents and then dried. Each regenerated sample is used as a substrate for cell growth to assess cell viability and biocompatibility. Viability is compared to the material properties using TGA, DSC, FTIR, BET, and XRD. Preliminary results indicate that there are differences in the crystallinity, total surface area, pore size, and porosity of the dried cellulose materials. These results provide insight on how to control the final properties of biopolymers and how to engineer biopolymers for a variety of applications that will enable them effectively replace their synthetic counterparts.

Tailoring material properties and biocompatibility of Biopolymers through Ionic Liquid Solution Engineering

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

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