Enhanced dissolution of cellulose in CO2 switchable system by solvent with low Henry's constants as CO2 absorbent

Organic solvents with low Henry's constants, such as propylene carbonate (PC) and sulfolane, were proposed to be used as CO2 absorbents to increase CO2 absorption capacity in the CO2 switchable solvent, so that the dissolution of cellulose can be effectively enhanced. With the addition of PC, the maximum concentration achieved for the dissolution of paper cellulose can be largely increased from 1.0 to 5.0 wt%, while those for microcrystalline cellulose and corncob cellulose were increased from 5.0 to 10.0 and 7.0 wt%, respectively. Moreover, the chemical and crystalline structure of the regenerated cellulose was not affected by the addition of CO2 absorbents. This study illustrated a simple and effective way to modify the CO2 switchable solvent, which would be helpful for the application of the complex solvent system for the enhanced dissolution, derivatization, and processing of cellulose in the future.

Automated summary

By using organic solvents with low Henry's constants as CO2 absorbents, the solubility of cellulose in CO2 switchable solvents can be enhanced without affecting the chemical and crystalline structure of the regenerated cellulose. This study provides a simple and effective method for the enhanced dissolution, derivatization, and processing of cellulose in the future complex solvent system.