Investigations about dissolution of cellulose in the 1-allyl-3-alkylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids

In this work, the 1-allyl-3-alkylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids were synthesized and characterized by increasing carbon atoms (n <= 6) of alkyl chains on a cationic 3-imidazole ring. The results indicated that 1-allyl-3-alkylimidazolium chloride with asymmetrical structure on the two sides of a cationic 3-imidazole ring (i.e., n=1, 2, 6) exhibited alkalinity and lower thermal stabilities, and showed better solubility to the cellulose samples at 60-120 degrees C than those with symmetrical structures (n = 3, 4). The cellulose samples treated by 20% (w/w) ethylenediamine solution showed better solubility in 1-allyl-3-ethyl, hexyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquids than that treated with 20% (w/w) NaOH solution at 5 degrees C for 72 h. XRD and TG analysis indicated that 002 plane apparent crystallite size as well as thermal stability of the regenerated cellulose samples from the ionic liquids decreased significantly compared with the untreated cellulose samples. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.