A systematic study of variables that affect the fiber welding process is presented. Cotton cloth samples are treated with controlled amounts of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate for a series of times and temperatures. Diluting the ionic liquid with a volatile molecular co-solvent allows temporal and spatial control of the welding process not possible with neat ionic liquids. Materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical (tensile) testing. Results suggest careful management of process variables permits controlled, reproducible manipulation of chemical and physical properties.

Preliminary data are shown for a systematic study of the variables that control the fiber welding process. Cotton cloth samples are treated with various amounts of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate for a series of times and temperatures. Processed materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and mechanical (tensile) testing. Chemical and physical properties are shown to be controllably modified with careful management of process variables.

Several examples of fiber welding were characterized by visible, fluorescent, and scanning electron microscopies to evaluate polymer reorganization. Distinct morphologies were observed that are process dependent. The characterization of process controlled sample morphology is the basis for understanding observed bulk physical properties such as tensile strength and the modulus.