Due to environmental concerns, more attention has been given to the development of bio-based materials for substitution of fossil-based ones. Moreover, paper use is essential in daily routine and several applications of industrial pulp can be developed. In this study, transparent films were produced by industrial cellulose pulp solubilization in tetramethylguanidine based ionic liquids followed by its regeneration. Films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/Vis spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal analysis (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical tests showed that films have a good elongation property, up to 50%, depending on ionic liquid incorporation. The influence of the conjugated acid and dissolution temperature on mechanical properties were evaluated. These results revealed the potential of this methodology for the preparation of new biobased films.

The stringent control over the polymerization of less activated monomers remains one major challenge for Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerizations (RDRP), including Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). Electrochemically mediated ATRP (eATRP)...

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A process was developed combining two natural-based products to obtain bio-based films. Industrial cellulose pulp was dissolved and mixed with epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), which acts as an internal plasticizer. A distillable and recyclable ionic liquid-based solvent was used to dissolve the cellulose. Appropriate distribution of the cellulose/ESBO solution on glass surfaces and careful regeneration of the cellulose enabled the development of solvent-free and flexible cellulose films. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of the triglyceride structure and the absence of the epoxide ring in the films, confirming the chemical reaction between the hydroxyl and epoxide groups of cellulose. The resulting films were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and mechanical tensile tests. The films were also evaluated by contact angle measurement, swelling ability, in vitro degradability and cytotoxicity. The results showed that the presence of ESBO can adjust both the flexibility and hydrophilicity of the cellulose films, resulting in materials suitable for a variety of applications.

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Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) is developed in dispersion conditions to assist the preparation of cellulose-based films. Self-degassing conditions are achieved by the addition of sodium pyruvate (SP) as a ROS scavenger, while an aluminum counter electrode provides a simplified and more cost-effective electrochemical setup. Different polyacrylamides were grown on a model cellulose substrate which was previously esterified with 2-bromoisobutyrate (-BriB), serving as initiator groups. Small-scale polymerizations (15 mL) provided optimized conditions to pursue the scale-up up to 1000 mL (scale-up factor ~67). Cellulose-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was then chosen to prepare the tunable, thermoresponsive, solvent-free, and flexible films through a dissolution/regeneration method. The produced films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).