Structure and Properties of Cellulose Fibers from Ionic Liquids

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) was used as a solvent for cellulose, the rheological behavior of the cellulose/ [BMIM]Cl solution was studied, and the fibers were spun with a dry-jet-wet-spinning process. In addition, the structure and properties of the prepared cellulose fibers were investigated and compared with those of lyocell fibers. The results showed that the cellulose/ [BMIM]Cl solution was a typical shear-thinning fluid, and the temperature had little influence on the apparent viscosity of the solution when the shear rate was higher than 100 s(-1). In addition, the prepared fibers had a cellulose II crystal structure just like that of lyocell fibers, and the orientation and crystallinity of the fibers increased with the draw ratio increasing, so the mechanical properties of the fibers improved. Fibers with a tenacity of 4.28cN/dtex and a modulus of 56.8 cN/dtex were prepared. Moreover, the fibers had a smooth surface as well as a round and compact structure, and the dyeing and antifibrillation properties of the fibers were similar to those of lyocell fibers; however, the color of these dyed fibers was brighter than that of lyocell fibers. Therefore, these fibers could be a new kind of environmentally friendly cellulose fiber following lyocell fibers. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. I Appl Polym Sci 115: 1047-1053, 2010