Water regulates ionic liquid solvation and can fine-tune the rheological behavior of dissolved cellulose
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Water contamination is difficult to control in the field given ambient humidity levels, rain, dew, and the hygroscopic quality of polar ionic liquids (ILs) like 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene [DBUH][-OAc], a well-characterized ionic liquid. With water, there is a H-bond competition between it and [DBUH][-OAc] suggesting that the overall solubility of cotton can be throttled by trace amounts of water thus throttling rheological measurements. Here, 5 wt% cotton was dissolved in [DBUH][-OAc] solutions in the presence of 0-20 wt.% water. Gravimetric analysis, rheology and microscopy on regenerated cotton fibers were conducted to characterize water’s influence on cotton dissolution. We confirmed the lower cellulose solubility with increasing water content. Roughly 7% w/w water was enough to essentially eliminate the IL solubility for cotton. Zero-shear viscosities of ∼10 -20 Pa-s were found for extracts of the neat solutions in IL at 60°C. Cotton fibers re-formed by syringe precipitation resulted in modulus values of ∼1-6 GPa and tensile strengths between 60-160 MPa.
Source: Results in Engineering
Authors: Tolulope D. Lawal, Julie M. Rieland, Brian J. Love
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W4414806383