Characteristics of cellulose solutions prepared with three non-derivatizing solvents and comparison of regenerated fiber properties

Cellulose, as a naturally abundant and renewable resource, can support increasingly depleted non-renewable resources. However, its high crystallinity limits its wide application to some extent. Efficient dissolution of cellulose is a prerequisite for its high-value utilization. Investigating the dissolution mechanisms of cellulose solvent systems is a crucial strategy for achieving effective conversion of cellulose. This work utilizes three different cellulose dissolvent systems: sodium hydroxide/urea/H 2 O (NaOH/Urea/H 2 O), lithium chloride/ N , N -dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/dimethyl sulfoxide (BMIMCl/DMSO) to dissolve cellulose, and explores the dissolution mechanisms involved with each solvent. Additionally, under the same coagulation bath conditions (deionized water), the structural and performance differences of regenerated cellulose fibers from different solvents were investigated. The results indicate that, apart from the structure and properties of the solvents, as well as external forces applied during the dissolution process, the extent of cellulose molecular chain degradation during dissolution (i.e., the reduction in degree of polymerization) significantly affects the mechanical strength of the regenerated cellulose fibers.