Work

Green Solvent Systems for Cellulose Dissolution and Regeneration: Hydrogen‐Bond Engineering Toward Sustainable Functional Materials

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cellulose, the most abundant natural biopolymer, offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products. However, its intrinsic and robust hydrogen-bonding network prevents thermal processing, severely hindering its practical use. Green solvent systems capable of disrupting this network under mild conditions without significant degradation have emerged as a transformative platform. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of cellulose dissolution, from its hierarchical supramolecular structure and swelling mechanisms to recent advances in green solvents, including ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. We highlight how solvation chemistry directly influences subsequent regeneration strategies (specifically solvent-induced phase transitions and thermally driven assembly), enabling precise control over hydrogen-bond reconstruction and molecular chain orientation. By bridging dissolution mechanisms with advanced manufacturing, this review elucidates design principles for creating high-performance cellulosic materials. We conclude with a forward-looking perspective on integrating artificial intelligence for solvent screening, scaling up sustainable processes, and realizing the full potential of cellulose-based smart materials in flexible electronics, biomedicine, and beyond.

Source: ChemSusChem

DOI: 10.1002/cssc.70919

Authors: Wen Wang, Yaxu Sun, Zhihan Tong, Haipeng Yu

Institution: Northeast Forestry University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China