Structural changes of cellulose dissolved in molten salt hydrates

The behavior of cellulose in molten salt hydrates, e.g., LiClO4*3H(2)O, ZnC l2*4H(2)O, LiCl*5H(2)O and mixtures of thiocyanates was investigated. Melts , which give rise to a swelling or dissolution of the cellulose were the fo cus of interest. The melt composition and species, the water amount and the structure of the coordination sphere of the cation of the molten salt hydr ate as well as the acidity influence the solubility of the cellulose in mol ten salt systems. The interactions between cellulose and species of the mel ts were determined by solution state C-13 NMR measurements at temperatures between 65 degreesC and 140 degreesC. Each regenerated cellulose showed oth er but specific properties which were characterized by wide angle X-ray Sca ttering (WAXS), solid-state NMR (C-13-CP/MAS NMR), molecular weight distrib ution, surface-area determinations and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).