Simple and environmentally friendly preparation of cellulose hydrogels using an ionic liquid

In this study, we developed an easy process for the production of cellulose hydrogels over a wide concentration range by using an ionic liquid/DMSO mixed solution that can easily be recycled at room temperature and has low environmental impact. Cellulose was completely dissolved at 6 to 20 wt% with respect to the [BMIm][OAc]/DMSO mixed solution at room temperature and ambient pressure. Placing the cellulose solution in a mold and immersing it in deionized water caused solvent replacement of the [BMIm][OAc]/DMSO mixed solution with deionized water, making it easy to obtain a cellulose hydrogel without using a crosslinking agent. Approximately 80% of the ionic liquid could be reused by constructing a system that recovers the ionic liquid discharged from the cellulose solution during solvent replacement. The pore size, water content and mechanical strength of the cellulose hydrogel strongly depended on the concentration of the cellulose solution prepared using the [BMIm][OAc]/DMSO mixture. However, the crystallinity and thermal stability did not show a concentration dependence.