Reactivity and Viscosity Properties of Macromolecules from Wood in Ionic Liquids

Abstract

We investigate the reactivity and viscosity properties of macromolecules from wood such as cellulose and xylan in ionic liquids, which has ability to liquefy wood. The macromolecules from wood were treated with ionic liquids at 120 °C. The obtained ionic liquid insoluble residue was weighted and calculated yield of residue. We discussed for reactivity of the macromolecules from wood by changes of residual concentration with ionic liquid treatment. Viscosity measurements were performed for macromolecules from wood/ionic liquid solution. Huggins coefficient was calculated by resulting viscosity measurements. With Huggins coefficient we investigate state of macromolecules from wood in ionic liquids. It was assumed that cellulose would be dispersed in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and would probably aggregate in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. It was thought that the state of macromolecules from wood in ionic liquids influence on their reactivity in ionic liquids.