Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels Prepared by Ionic Liquid-Based Processes

Abstract

This review summarizes the recent advances in preparing cellulose hydrogels via ionic liquid-based processes and the applications of regenerated cellulose hydrogels/iongels in electrochemical materials, separation membranes, and 3D printing bioinks. Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer, which has attracted great attention due to the demand for eco-friendly and sustainable materials. The sustainability of cellulose products also depends on the selection of the dissolution solvent. The current state of knowledge in cellulose preparation, performed by directly dissolving in ionic liquids and then regenerating in antisolvents, as described in this review, provides innovative ideas from the new findings presented in recent research papers and with the perspective of the current challenges.

Pectin Hydrogels: Gel-Forming Behaviors, Mechanisms, and Food Applications

“…This research synthesized a natural composite hydrogel by combining flexible pectin and cellulose within an ionic liquid environment. Ionic liquids are often used as solvents to dissolve cellulose due to their ability to disrupt the strong hydrogen bonding network in cellulose [ 154 ]. When pectin, which carries negative charges on its carboxyl groups, is combined with cellulose in the ionic liquid, an electrostatic attraction occurs between the positive charges on the cellulose and the negative charges on the pectin.…”