Brief overview on cellulose and cellulose dissolution methods

Cellulose is a macromolecular polysaccharide composed of glucose. It is insoluble in water and general organic solvents. It is the main component of plant cell walls. Cellulose is the most widely distributed and abundant polysaccharide in nature, accounting for more than 50% of the carbon content in the plant kingdom. Cotton has a cellulose content of nearly 100%, which is the purest natural source of cellulose. In general wood, cellulose accounts for 40-50%, and there are 10-30% hemicellulose and 20-30% lignin.

Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls, usually combined with hemicellulose, pectin and lignin. The way and degree of combination have a great influence on the texture of plant-based foods. The change in texture of plants during maturity and after-ripening is caused by changes in pectin substances. Cellulase does not exist in the human digestive tract. Cellulose is an important dietary fiber. It is the most widely distributed and abundant polysaccharide in nature.

Cellulose is the oldest and most abundant natural polymer on earth. It is an inexhaustible and most precious natural renewable resource for mankind. Cellulose chemistry and industry began more than 160 years ago and was the main research object during the birth and development of polymer chemistry. The research results of cellulose and its derivatives have made significant contributions to the creation, development and enrichment of polymer physics and chemistry.

Cellulose dissolution is a key process in the utilization and transformation of cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on Earth, primarily found in plant cell walls. As a biopolymer, cellulose is insoluble in water and many common solvents due to its strong hydrogen bonding network. To enable the development of cellulose-based materials such as fibers, films, and other products, dissolving cellulose is essential.

Importance of Cellulose Dissolution:

The ability to dissolve cellulose opens up possibilities for producing bio-based, sustainable materials, including textiles, packaging, and medical products. Traditional solvents such as sodium hydroxide, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), and ionic liquids (ILs) are commonly used in cellulose dissolution processes. Each solvent system has its own advantages and limitations, and ongoing research aims to find environmentally friendly and efficient solvents.

Methods for Cellulose Dissolution:

• Alkali-based Solvents: Sodium hydroxide is often used with urea or other additives to break down the hydrogen bonds in cellulose.
• Ionic Liquids: ILs are molten salts that dissolve cellulose at relatively low temperatures without the need for harmful chemicals.

• The related products currently developed by Sincere Industries are as follows：
  1.1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ; CAS NO.：79917-90-1;
  2. 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ; CAS NO：, 143314-17-4;
  3. 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, CAS NO.：79917-89-8;
  4. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, CAS NO.:174501-64-5.

• NMMO: N-methylmorpholine N-oxide 50% water solution used in the Lyocell process, a well-known method for producing regenerated cellulose fibers.

Efficient cellulose dissolution enables the creation of new materials while maintaining an environmentally conscious approach.

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