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Microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhanced dissolution efficiency of high-purity cellulose in
Meiwen Zhang1, Yuqian Guo1, Leilei Hou1
1National Engineering Lab for Pulp and Paper, China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100102, China.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|March 5, 2026
Summary
This study introduces microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent (MW-DES) pretreatment for dissolving pulp. This rapid method significantly reduces cellulose dissolution time in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), enhancing Lyocell fiber production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Green Chemistry
- Biomass Conversion
Background:
- Efficient cellulose dissolution is crucial for producing high-value materials like Lyocell fibers.
- Current methods require lengthy dissolution times, hindering industrial scalability.
- Developing rapid and sustainable pretreatment methods is essential for biomass valorization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid pretreatment method for dissolving pulp using microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent (MW-DES) technology.
- To significantly reduce the cellulose dissolution time in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO).
- To investigate the impact of MW-DES pretreatment on cellulose structure and properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a ZnCl₂/H₃PO₄ deep eutectic solvent system for pretreatment.
- Applied microwave irradiation (200 W) for a short duration (4 min).
- Analyzed changes in cellulose specific surface area and crystallinity post-treatment.
Main Results:
- MW-DES pretreatment effectively disrupted the cellulose hydrogen-bond network.
- Specific surface area increased by 124%, and crystallinity decreased from 64.06% to 44.63%.
- Complete cellulose dissolution time in NMMO was reduced to 12 min, a 60% improvement over MW-water pretreatment.
Conclusions:
- Microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent pretreatment offers a novel and sustainable strategy for efficient dissolving pulp preparation.
- This method significantly enhances cellulose dissolution efficiency, supporting industrial Lyocell fiber production.
- The rapid and effective disruption of cellulose structure by MW-DES presents a promising advancement in biomass processing.
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