Cellulose
acetate is one of the most important cellulose derivatives.
Herein we present a method to access cellulose acetate with a low
degree of substitution through a homogeneous reaction in the ionic
liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate ([DBNH][OAc]). This
ionic liquid has also been identified as an excellent cellulose solvent
for dry-jet wet fiber spinning. Cellulose was dissolved in [DBNH][OAc]
and esterified in situ to be immediately spun into modified cellulose
filaments with a degree of substitution (DS) value of 0.05–0.75.
The structural properties of the resulting fibers, which are characterized
by particularly high tensile strength values (525–750 MPa conditioned
and 315–615 MPa wet) and elastic moduli between 10–26
GPa, were investigated by birefringence measurements, wide-angle X-ray
scattering, and molar mass distribution techniques while their unique
interactions with water have been studied through dynamic vapor sorption.
Thus, an understanding of the novel process is gained, and the advantages
are demonstrated for producing high-value products such as textiles,
biocomposites, filters, and membranes.