Organic Solvents for Cellulose as a Biodegradable Polymer and Their Applicability for Cellulose Spinning and Derivatization

Abstract After some introductory remarks on cellulose as a renewable and biodegradable polymer and the relevance of new nonaqueous solvent systems for its processing, a survey is presented on the composition, the method of action and potential applications of these solvent systems, with a distinction between “derivatizing” and “nonderivatizing” solvent systems. The mechanism of dissolution is discussed with regard to interaction on the molecular level and with regard to the influence of cellulose physical structure. Among the systems considered for fiber spinning, the aminoxide-based solvent systems are given special attention. As another potential area of application, the use of nonaqueous solvent systems for performing regioselective derivatization at the cellulose molecule is presented briefly.