Coaxial Spinning of All-Cellulose Systems for Enhanced Toughness: Filaments of Oxidized Nanofibrils Sheathed in Cellulose II Regenerated from a Protic Ionic Liquid

Biomacromolecules. 2020 Feb 10;21(2):878-891. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01559. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Abstract

Hydrogels of TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose were stabilized for dry-jet wet spinning using a shell of cellulose dissolved in 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium propionate ([DBNH][CO2Et]), a protic ionic liquid (PIL). Coagulation in an acidic water bath resulted in continuous core-shell filaments (CSFs) that were tough and flexible with an average dry (and wet) toughness of ∼11 (2) MJ·m-3 and elongation of ∼9 (14) %. The CSF morphology, chemical composition, thermal stability, crystallinity, and bacterial activity were assessed using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, wide-angle X-ray scattering, and bacterial cell culturing, respectively. The coaxial wet spinning yields PIL-free systems carrying on the surface the cellulose II polymorph, which not only enhances the toughness of the filaments but facilities their functionalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / analysis
  • Cellulose / chemical synthesis*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Hydrogels / analysis
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Ionic Liquids / analysis
  • Ionic Liquids / chemical synthesis*
  • Nanofibers / analysis
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Cellulose