Radiation effects on microcrystalline cellulose in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid

Carbohydr Polym. 2012 Nov 6;90(4):1629-33. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.07.042. Epub 2012 Jul 25.

Abstract

The radiation processing of cellulose in ionic liquids (ILs) demands a comprehensive knowledge of radiation effects on cellulose in ILs. Herein, gamma radiation-induced degradation kinetics of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) was studied by viscometry. The intrinsic viscosity of MCC in [Bmim]Cl decreased slightly with increasing dose; while chemical structure and crystalline state of cellulose has no obvious change up to 300 kGy. The radiation degradation rate constant (k) of MCC in [Bmim]Cl was 2.60×10(-7)/kGy, lower than that of solid cellulose, but higher than that in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solvent. Furthermore, k value decreased to 1.12×10(-7)/kGy in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/[Bmim]Cl system due to the free radicals scavenging of DMSO. The radicals generated during irradiation play main role in the radiation degradation of MCC in [Bmim]Cl. This work provides a new way to control the average molecular weight of cellulose by radiation-induced degradation of cellulose in ILs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / radiation effects*
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes*
  • Gamma Rays*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Polymerization
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Temperature
  • Viscosity
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Cobalt Radioisotopes
  • Imidazoles
  • Solvents
  • 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride
  • Cellulose
  • microcrystalline cellulose