Abstract
The local structure of cellulose, dissolved in the frequently used ionic liquid EMIm-OAc, is modelled by a coaxial double layer cylinder. The cylinder’s core consists of a cellulose chain while the sheath is formed by a solvent layer with lower electron density than the bulk solvent. We studied 2% cellulose solutions in EMIm-OAc and their behavior upon addition of increasing amounts of water. At this cellulose concentration, 15 wt% of water induced the precipitation of cellulose. Water molecules did not form an independent phase, but were bound to EMIm-OAc in the cellulose/water/EMIm-OAc solution. The conformational of a cellulose chain changes by adding water into the solution, and the square of the apparent cross-sectional radius of gyration of the cellulose chain becomes zero to negative. This phenomenon is explained by the formation of a solvation shell with lower electron density than the bulk solvent around the cellulose chain.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 7389-7398 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Cellulose |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2020 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |