Solubility of wood-cellulose in LiCl/DMAC solvent system

Abstract

A LiCl/DMAC solvent system was used to dissolve wood-cellulose with aims to broaden its application in preparing functional materials of modified wood-cellulose. We studied the dissolubility complexion of wood-cellulose in a LiCl/DMAC solvent system, made sure of the important function of LiCl in a cellulose solvent, and further confirmed its dissolution mechanism via the measurement of infrared spectra of soluble products. The study results are as follows: first, LiCl salts, which can form intermediate complexes with cellulose, have played an important role in the LiCl/DMAC solvent system, and their solubility performance is enhanced by reducing the hydrogen bond effect between cellulose molecules; second, the non-aqueous solvent system is a better method for dissolving wood-cellulose in homogenous phase. As found in infrared spectra, the absorption intensity of hydroxyl groups (broad peaks: 3,400 cm -1) decreased greatly in cellulose macromolecules. This is because the degree of association between the hydroxyl groups of cellulose macromolecules is reduced, due to the destruction of the hydrogen bonds. Lastly, wood-cellulose can be dissolved in a LiCl/DMAC solvent thoroughly and efficiently, and can provide a better solvent system for homogeneous synthesis in the preparation of new functional materials via modified wood-cellulose. © 2007 Beijing Forestry University.