Preparation and Characterization of Novel Regenerated Cellulose Films via Sol-Gel Technology

In this study, novel regenerated cellulose films were prepared by sol-gel technology. The effects of ZnCl2 concentration, temperature, dissolution time, aging time, and plasticizer concentration on the properties of the prepared cellulose film were investigated, and the optimal conditions of the sol gel technology were zinc chloride of 65 wt % concentration, dissolution temperature of 75 degrees C, dissolution time of 10 s, aging time of 4 h in air, and the content of glycerol in the solidification liquid of 10%. Compared with the raw paper and the CDRF (complete dissolution regenerated films), the mechanical properties of the IDRF (incomplete dissolution regenerated films) improved significantly. The results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer revealed that the skeleton role of paper fibers, the filler role of gel fibers and hydrogen bonding in the IDRF achieved by sol-gel technology led to the improved mechanical properties.