The Hofmeister series describes the influence of ions on the stability and solubility of macromolecules in aqueous solutions. While extensively studied in protein chemistry, Hofmeister effects also play a crucial role in cellulose dissolution and regeneration, which are fundamental processes for the development of sustainable materials. This study explores how different Hofmeister ions affect cellulose regeneration from cold alkali/urea aqueous solution, with respect to their impact on intermolecular interactions, phase separation, and structural properties. Experimental insights from turbidity measurements, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction reveal ion-specific trends in cellulose aggregation dynamics, the formation of intermediate structures, and the morphology of the regenerated material. The results show that kosmotropic and chaotropic ions distinctly modulate cellulose self-assembly, influencing both the kinetics of regeneration and the crystallinity of the final product. These findings provide valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing cellulose processing and offer strategies for optimizing the design of advanced biomaterials with tailored properties for greener industrial applications.
WWSC is a joint research center between KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Linköping University. The base is a donation from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The Swedish industry is supporting WWSC via the platform Treesearch.
Contact
Email: conference2025@wwsc.se