Dissolution behavior of cellulose in a novel cellulose solvent

We have found that cellulose can be dissolved rapidly in the mixed solvent of tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA) and a polar aprotic solvents (PAS) at 50 degrees C and the obtained cellulose solution could be regenerated into cellulose film and fiber. The factors affecting the dissolution behavior of cellulose were investigated and it was found that the solubility and dissolution rate of cellulose in the mixed solvent are significantly dependent on the species of PAS and the molar ratio of PAS/TBAA. The suitable PAS are dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine, dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and dimethyl sulfoxide is the best one in regard to the solubility and dissolution rate of cellulose. The optimal molar ratio of PAS/TBAA was determined by DN of the polar aprotic solvents. The dissolution behaviour of cellulose in the mixed solvent was proposed to involve the solvent diffusion, solvation of TBA(+) as well as disruption of the intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose.