Instabilities in the system NMMO/water/cellulose (Lyocell process) caused by Polonowski type reactions

Polonowski type degradation reactions are a major reason for the frequently observed instability of solutions of cellulose in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO, 1). The degradation is induced by degradation products of cellulose and NMMO generated in situ in the Lyocell system. The presence of both an amine component, such as morpholine or N-methylmorpholine, and an acid component is required for the decomposition process to proceed. The latter might be a low-molecular-weight compound, such as formic acid, acetic acid or gluconic acid, or also a high-molecular-weight acid, such as polyglucuronic acid or ion exchange resin.