Preparation of cellulose hydrogels via self-assembly in DMAc/LiCl solutions and study of their properties

Cellulose-based hydrogels have been prepared from solutions of hardwood and flax lignocelluloses and cotton cellulose in an N,N-dimethylacetamide-lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) mixture by regeneration and subsequent self-assembly of cellulose chains. The main physicochemical characteristics of the hydrogels have been investigated. It has been shown that they can retain large amounts of water (up to 2500 wt %) and have high porosity and specific surface area. The studied hydrogels are classical stable 3D structures; however, unlike other hydrogels, they possess high stability in aqueous medium and irreversibility of gelation.