Dissolution of cellulose with a novel solvent and formation of regenerated cellulose fiber

Abstract

A new cellulose solution was prepared by a new cellulose solvent, tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA)/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A new kind of regenerated cellulose fibers was spun successfully for the first time from the cellulose solution by a wet spinning system. The dissolving process of cellulose in TBAA/DMSO was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope. The rheological of the cellulose dopes was determined by rotated rheometer, and the results showed that the cellulose/TBAA/DMSO solution was a typical shear-thinning fluid. In addition, the morphology, chemical structure and mechanical properties of the prepared cellulose fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), 13C CP/MAS NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electronic tensile tester, respectively. The SEM patterns showed that the regenerated fibers possessed a smooth surface and circular cross section. The results from 13C NMR and XRD patterns indicated that the novel fibers mainly exhibited amorphous cellulose. Meanwhile, the novel fibers have good mechanical properties.