Melt Blowing of Ionic Liquid-based Cellulose Solutions

The melt-blowing technique is usually used for thermoplastic resins, not for non-thermoplastic materials. In this study, nonwoven fabric was successfully obtained by a cellulose solution through melt-blowing technique. The solution was prepared by a twin-screw extruder after mixing cellulose pulp with 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride ([AMIM]Cl). Nonwoven fabric exhibited typical characteristics of those from melt-blown thermoplastic resins. Some aspects of melt-blowing process are discussed, such as cellulose concentration, temperature of extrusion die and hot air pressure. In experimental range, to obtain nonwoven web, cellulose concentration was below 15 wt%. Temperature of extrusion die and hot air pressure had great influence on the fabric. With the increasing of temperature of extrusion die and hot air pressure, the fiber changed thin and the fiber web became better, while the fiber diameter became thicker after increasing the cellulose concentration. Elevating the temperature of extrusion die, the degree of polymerization decreased, and the quality of the fiber webs declined.