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Cellulose dissolution and regeneration behavior via DBU-levulinic acid solvents
Yuhui Ci1, Tianying Chen1, Feiyun Li1
1National Engineering Laboratory of Textile Fiber Materials and Processing Technology, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|August 30, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed new cellulose solvents using levulinic acid (LevA) and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU). The DBU-LevA-2 solvent effectively dissolves cellulose, enabling its regeneration without derivatization.
Area of Science:
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Cellulose dissolution is challenging for organic solvents due to limited hydrogen bonding.
- Efficient cellulose solvents are crucial for its sustainable utilization and conversion.
- Developing novel, cost-effective cellulose solvent systems is an ongoing research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize new cellulose solvents from inexpensive raw materials.
- To investigate the dissolution capability of novel DBU-LevA solvent systems for cellulose.
- To elucidate the mechanism of cellulose dissolution and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of DBU-LevA based solvent systems.
- Cellulose dissolution experiments with varying solvent compositions and temperatures.
- Regeneration of cellulose and characterization of its crystalline structure.
- Investigation of solvent-cellulose interactions using NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT).
Main Results:
- A DBU-LevA-2 solvent system demonstrated significant cellulose dissolution capacity (7 wt% bamboo cellulose, 16 wt% microcrystalline cellulose) at 100°C.
- Cellulose could be regenerated from the solvent without derivatization, yielding cellulose II crystalline structure.
- The molar ratio of DBU and LevA critically influenced cellulose dissolution efficiency.
- DFT and NMR studies confirmed the essential role of hydrogen bonding from DBU in the dissolution process.
Conclusions:
- Novel DBU-LevA solvent systems offer an effective and potentially greener route for cellulose dissolution and processing.
- The superbase DBU's hydrogen bond-forming capability is key to the efficacy of these cellulose solvents.
- This research provides insights into cellulose-solvent interactions, facilitating further development of cellulose-based materials.
