Soluble cellulose by mild chemical modification

What is it about?

Cellulose is most abundant biopolymer on earth and has thus high possibility to use in many applications, such as replacement for oil-based product. Pure cellulose has low solubility to most common solvents, therefore this study was conducted to improve solubility of cellulose by mild chemical modification. Cellulose was modified using dimethylurea, which in turn can be produced from carbon dioxide, making this method environmental way to modify cellulose.

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Why is it important?

Novel and environmental friendly ways to modify cellulose are important in the respect of the production more sustainable materials. In this study, carbon dioxide based chemical (dimethylurea) observed to mildly modify cellulose, so that product was easily solubilized to water at low NaOH content. This could open new route to obtain cellulose based materials for many applications.

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