Molten Inorganic Salts as Reaction Medium for Cellulose

Abstract

The preparation of cellulose solutions is important for derivatization and blend formation of this natural polymer. Besides solvents like CS2/NaOH and NMMNO*H2O unconventional solvent system can be applied for dissolution of cellulose. This group of solvents includes inorganic molten salts and salt hydrates. Inorganic molten salts can be used as efficient solvents for cellulose in a wide range of degree of polymerization. Furthermore molten salts can be applied as reaction medium for the derivatization of cellulose. For both dissolution and derivatization of cellulose the knowledge of the solution state as well as information about chemical interactions with the solvent system is essential. Beside the specific structure of the molten salt hydrate, the cation and the water content of the melt are the most important factors for the dissolving capability of a molten salt hydrate system.