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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Preparation of Biopolymer Aerogels Using Green Solvents
Published on: July 4, 2016
Cellulose dissolution and gelation in NaOH(aq) under controlled CO2 atmosphere: supramolecular structure and flow
Guillermo Reyes1, Alistair W T King2, Tetyana V Koso3
1Biobased Colloids and Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University FI-00076 Espoo Finland guillermo.reyes@aalto.fi orlando.rojas@ubc.ca.
Abstract:
We investigate the interplay between cellulose crystallization and aggregation with interfibrillar interactions, shear forces, and the local changes in the medium's acidity. The latter is affected by the CO2 chemisorbed from the surrounding atmosphere, which, combined with shear forces, explain cellulose gelation. Herein, rheology, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) are combined to unveil the fundamental factors that limit cellulose gelation and maximize its dissolution in NaOH(aq). The obtained solutions are then proposed for developing green and environmentally friendly cellulose-based materials.
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