Preparation and Subsequent Shaping of Cellulose Acetates Using Ionic Liquids

The acetylation of cellulose in ionic liquids (ILs) and the subsequent dry/wet spinning of these processing solutions were investigated. The homogeneous acetylation in ILs was carried out using different molar ratios of acetic anhydride to the anhydroglucose unit (AGU). The obtained solutions of cellulose acetates were characterised analytically by means of rheological methods. DS and $\overline {DP}$ of the prepared cellulose acetates were determined. Furthermore the processing solutions of the acetylation were shaped by means of a dry/wet spinning process to fibres with varied properties. The resulting fibre properties were discussed in consideration of the DS and in comparison with unsubstituted cellulose fibres. A one‐pot process for the production of cellulose acetate fibres and their properties using ILs is reported. For the acetylation of cellulose in IL, no catalyst is required. After dissolving the biopolymer, the homogeneous modification of cellulose to cellulose acetate is carried out that is directly transferred to cellulose acetate fibres by dry/wet shaping. The properties of the solutions and of the fibres obtained are discussed.