Assessment of solvents for cellulose dissolution

Area of Science:

• Biomass processing
• Polymer chemistry
• Chemical engineering

Background:

• Cellulose dissolution is essential for biomass utilization.
• Effective cellulose solvents require high diffusivity, decrystallization aggressiveness, and chain disassociation.
• The precise factors controlling solvent efficiency remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the controlling mechanisms of cellulose dissolution using a novel phenomenological model.
• To identify key factors for improving cellulose solvent effectiveness.
• To enhance the selection of efficient solvents and processing conditions for biomass.

Main Methods:

• Application of a newly-developed phenomenological model.
• Analysis of cellulose dissolution kinetics.
• Assessment of controlling mechanisms including decrystallization and chain disentanglement.

Main Results:

• Cellulose fibers largely retain crystallinity throughout dissolution in decrystallization-controlled solvents.
• Decreasing cellulose fiber crystallinity, for instance, through pretreatment, substantially increases dissolution rates.
• The study identified specific solvent examples limited by decrystallization or disentanglement.

Conclusions:

• Cellulose fiber crystallinity is a critical factor in dissolution rate, especially in decrystallization-limited solvents.
• Pretreatment strategies to reduce crystallinity can significantly enhance biomass processing efficiency.
• The developed model provides valuable insights for designing more effective cellulose solvents and optimizing biomass processing conditions.