Ionic Liquids for the Dissolution and Regneration of Cellulose

Abstract

There is an increasing willingness to develop new cellulose-based materials, particularly from homogeneous soln., due to the fact that cellulose is the earth's most abundant biorenewable resource. The opportunity to use ionic liqs. as solvents for clean extn. and processing of cellulose was investigated. Cellulose can be dissolved in a no. of ionic liqs. and easily regenerated by contacting with water. This allows a simple, benign system for the processing of cellulose into fibers, monoliths, and films by forming into an aq. phase. This has potential environmental and cost advantages over current processing methodologies which make use of volatile or hazardous solvents. [on SciFinder (R)]