Dissolution of cellulose with a novel solvent and formation of regenerated cellulose fiber

A new cellulose solution was prepared by a new cellulose solvent, tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA)/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A new kind of regenerated cellulose fibers was spun successfully for the first time from the cellulose solution by a wet spinning system. The dissolving process of cellulose in TBAA/DMSO was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope. The rheological of the cellulose dopes was determined by rotated rheometer, and the results showed that the cellulose/TBAA/DMSO solution was a typical shear-thinning fluid. In addition, the morphology, chemical structure and mechanical properties of the prepared cellulose fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), C-13 CP/MAS NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electronic tensile tester, respectively. The SEM patterns showed that the regenerated fibers possessed a smooth surface and circular cross section. The results from C-13 NMR and XRD patterns indicated that the novel fibers mainly exhibited amorphous cellulose. Meanwhile, the novel fibers have good mechanical properties.