Facile production of cellulosic organic solutions and organogels from ionic liquid media

In this study, we investigate what types of cellulosic materials are formed by soaking the cellulose/ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, BMIMCl) solutions in various organic liquids. When the 5-wt% cellulose/BMIMCl solutions were soaked in organic liquids with high and moderate polarities (relative permittivities), the corresponding cellulosic solutions and gels were produced, respectively. On the other hand, soaking the cellulose/BMIMCl solutions in lower polar liquids resulted in aggregation of cellulose in the mixtures. As the gels with high boiling point media were stable, they were characterized by viscoelastic and compression measurements. Contents of organic media and BMIMCl in the gels were changed depending on the polarities, which affected the mechanical properties under compression mode. Furthermore, processes for production of the solution, gel, and aggregate were proposed.