SILYLATED CELLULOSE MATERIALS IN DESIGN OF SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURES OF ULTRATHIN CELLULOSE FILMS

To use the structure-forming potential and the biodegradability of cel lulose and nonionic cellulose ethers, we developed synthesis pathways for soluble and regenerable silyl celluloses suitable for the design o f advanced materials. A 6-O-silylation of cellulose takes place in a h eterogeneous phase reaction in the presence of ammonia-saturated polar aprotic solvents at -15 degrees C with thexyldimethylchlorosilane. Af ter 2,3-di-O-methylation, this type of regioselectively-substituted ce llulose derivatives yields sensor matrices for the detection of halohy drocarbons in air. On the other hand, thexyldimethylsilyl celluloses a nd trimethylsilyl celluloses with degrees of substitution in the 2.6 t o 3.0 range form mono- and multilayered supramolecular structures by a pplying the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and, after desilylation, orien ted ultrathin cellulose films.