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Updated: May 8, 2026

Highly Stable, Functional Hairy Nanoparticles and Biopolymers from Wood Fibers: Towards Sustainable Nanotechnology
Published on: July 20, 2016
Depolymerization of crystalline cellulose catalyzed by acidic ionic liquids grafted onto sponge-like nanoporous
Fujian Liu1, Ranjan K Kamat, Iman Noshadi
1Key Laboratory of Alternative Technologies for Fine Chemicals Process of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, People's Republic of China. qichenze@usx.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The acidic ionic liquid (IL) functionalized polymer (PDVB-SO3H-[C3vim][SO3CF3]) possesses abundant nanoporous structures, strong acid strength and unique capability for deconstruction of crystalline cellulose into sugars in ILs. The polymer shows much improved catalytic activities in comparison with mineral acids, homogeneous acidic ionic liquids and the acidic resins such as Amberlyst 15. The enhanced catalytic activity found in the polymer is attributed to synergistic effects between the strongly acidic group and the ILs grafted onto the polymer, which by itself is capable of breaking down the crystalline structures of cellulose. This study may help develop cost-effective and green routes for conversion of biomass to fuels.

