Cellulose films from the aqueous DMSO/TBAH-system

Abstract

Regulation of pore defects is the critical technique for obtaining good performance of the cellulosic films. In this work, we have proved that the introduction of dimethyl sulfoxide into the new aqueous solvent system of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide can remarkably promote the dissolving capability of the natural cellulose. It is interesting to found that a suitable gelation during the aging process in preparing the cellulose films is very benefit for the mechanical performance of the prepared material. The relationship among process, structure and performance of the cellulose films has been researched. WAXD and FT-IR analysis have revealed the composition of cellulose II and IV_II. The formed cellulose IV_II with the structural characteristic of gel-like during the aging (gelation) process can serve as the uniform framework for heterogeneous regeneration of cellulose II, with which a cellulose films of network-like, good homogeneity and defect-free can be prepared. And synchronous enhancements of the tensile strength by 75% (from 78 to 137 MPa) and the elongation at break by 155% (from 4.63 to 11.80%) have been realized. The initial investigation in this work provides a sustainable approach to developing a facile process for high-performance materials from the natural cellulose.