(173d) Effect of the Anion of Ionic Liquid for Dissolution of Cellulose

Cellulose, the most abundant polymer from nature, is regarded as an important source for bio-ethanol and bio-butanol. In this experiment, cellulose dissolution and regeneration have been conducted by using of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids having different anion. It was found that the degree of dissolution was closely related with coordinating ability of the anion in ionic liquid, that is, less coordinating or non-coordinating anions such as BF4-, PF6- and TFSI- showed poor solubility for cellulose, while coordinating anions like halide, carboxylate, bicarbonate dissolve cellulose up to 20 wt% depending on the experimental condition. After dissolution, the cellulose was regenerated and then analyzed by TGA, SEM, IR, and XRD. Depending on the heating method and ionic liquid used, regenerated celluloses showed different morphology and chemical properties.