Poster

P7.3 – Hofmeister Effects in Cellulose Regeneration from Cold Alkali Solvents: Ion-Specific Control of Self-Assembly and Structure

Ida Svanedal

Mid Sweden University

Co-author(s):
Ida Svanedal, Mid Sweden University
Alireza  Eivazi, Mid Sweden University
Christina Dahlström, Mid Sweden University
Magnus Norgren, Mid Sweden University

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.

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