Dissolution performance of cellulose in [A₂im][MOA]/MIM solvents

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Cellulose, a renewable biopolymer, faces challenges in dissolution for processing.
• Developing efficient and environmentally friendly cellulose solvents is crucial for sustainable material applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel cellulose solvents based on diallylimidazolium methoxyacetate ([A2im][MOA]) and N-methylimidazole (MIM).
• To investigate the effect of the MIM/[A2im][MOA] molar ratio on cellulose solubility at 25 °C.
• To explore the potential for tailoring porous cellulose materials through controlled solution concentration.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of diallylimidazolium methoxyacetate ([A2im][MOA]).
• Preparation of cellulose solvent mixtures ([A2im][MOA]/MIM).
• Determination of cellulose solubility at 25 °C across varying molar ratios.
• Characterization of porous cellulose materials derived from these solutions.

Main Results:

• Achieved high cellulose solubility (up to 25.2 g 100 g⁻¹) at 25 °C using the developed ([A2im][MOA]/MIM) solvents.
• Identified key interactions (H2, H4, H6 in [A2im]+ and carboxyl O in [MOA]−) contributing to cellulose dissolution.
• Demonstrated that N-methylimidazole (MIM) facilitates solvent dissociation and stabilizes dissolved cellulose.
• Showcased the ability to tailor porous cellulose materials with diverse morphologies by adjusting solution concentration.

Conclusions:

• The novel ([A2im][MOA]/MIM) ionic liquid systems are effective cellulose solvents at ambient temperature.
• The solvent composition and concentration are critical parameters for controlling cellulose dissolution and material morphology.
• This approach offers a promising route for sustainable processing of cellulose into advanced porous materials.