Ionic liquids for the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose

There is an increasing willingness to develop new cellulose-based materials, particularly from homogeneous solution, due to the fact that cellulose is the earth's most abundant biorenewable resource. The opportunity to use ionic liquids as solvents for clean extraction and processing of cellulose has been investigated. Cellulose can be dissolved in a number of ionic liquids and easily regenerated by contacting with water. This allows a simple, benign system for the processing of cellulose into fibers, monoliths, and films by forming into an aqueous phase. This has potential environmental and cost advantages over current processing methodologies which make use of volatile or hazardous solvents.