Title
On cellulose dissolution and gelation
Conference Dates
July 10-14, 2016
Abstract
Cellulose is the World’s most abundant biopolymer and an important renewable raw material for many materials. For applications like textile fibers it is necessary to first dissolve the cellulose pulp. However, dissolving cellulose turns out to be a challenge. This crystalline polymer is insoluble in most classical polar and non-polar solvents, but soluble in certain ionic liquids and also (partly) in concentrated NaOH. Replacing sodium with the larger and more hydrophobic/amphiphilic tetrabutyl ammonium cation, increases the solubility. Cellulose solutions can turn into gels. The reason for this appears to involve the issue of crystal polymorphism. While natural (wood) cellulose, so called Cellulose I dissolves, solutions may become supersaturated with respect to the more stable Cellulose II. Recrystallizing polymers from semi-dilute solutions may lead to gelation as chains can participate in more than one nucleus.
Recommended Citation
Ulf Olsson, "On cellulose dissolution and gelation" in "Colloidal, Macromolecular & Biological Gels: Formulation, Properties & Applications", ECI Symposium Series, (2016). https://dc.engconfintl.org/cmb_gels/21