Abstract
The dissolution of cellulosic flax fibres in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) with cosolvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been studied. The fibres were submerged in the ionic liquid/DMSO mixtures at different temperatures for a range of dissolution times, then coagulated in water. After drying, cross sections of the fibres were analysed using an optical microscope, which was used to track the fraction of coagulated fibre. The temperature dependence of this coagulated fraction is found to follow an Arrhenius equation with a single activation energy of 100±10 kJ/mol. This value is, remarkably, independent of the weight fraction of DMSO used. This work quantifies the composition for the peak dissolution rate, which occurs at an equal weight fraction of DMSO and [C2mim][OAc]. Finally, this study reveals an equivalence between time, temperature and DMSO weight fraction in the dissolution of flax fibres.
Highlights
The dissolution of cellulose is an area of great interest both academically and industrially
It is only recently (2002) that Swatloski et al first published results describing the dissolution of cellulose using a selection of methyl-imidazolium based ionic liquids (Swatloski et al, 2002)
Our hypothesis is that the dissolution of flax fibres in an ionic liquid will obey time-temperature superposition
Summary
The dissolution of cellulose is an area of great interest both academically and industrially. The earliest mention of cellulosic dissolution using a molten salt (N-alkylpyridinium chloride) occurred in 1934, (Pinkert et al, 2009) though this does not qualify as an IL based on Walden’s definition, due to its high melting point It is only recently (2002) that Swatloski et al first published results describing the dissolution of cellulose using a selection of methyl-imidazolium based ionic liquids (Swatloski et al, 2002). The work presented here can be closely tied to the series of papers published by Nevard et al on the swelling and dissolution of cellulose fibres in a range of solvents (Céline Cuissinat et al, 2008b, 2008a; Celine Cuissinat & Navard, 2006a, 2006b; Cuissinat & Navard, 2008) Solvent mixtures in this series include aqueous NMMO along with a host of additives such as urea and zinc oxide, as well as multiple ionic liquids. Our hypothesis is that the dissolution of flax fibres in an ionic liquid will obey time-temperature superposition
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
