Weak gel of chitin with ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide.

This paper reports the formation of weak gel of chitin with an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (IL). When a mixture of 5% (w/w) chitin with IL was heated at 100 degrees C for 48h, the clear liquid was obtained. The experimental process was observed by the CCD camera view and the SEM analysis. From a mixture of chitin with IL in the higher concentration (7%, w/w), a more viscous material, i.e., a gel-like material was obtained. The rheological evaluations showed that both 5% (w/w) and 7% (w/w) chitins with IL behaved as weak gels.

A facile preparation of gel materials from a solution of cellulose in ionic liquid.

This paper reports a facile preparation of a flexible gel material from a solution of cellulose (15% w/w) in an ionic liquid of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride by keeping it at room temperature for 7 days. Elemental analysis data indicated that the obtained gel material was composed of cellulose, the ionic liquid, and water. Both XRD and TGA results suggested that crystalline structure of cellulose was largely disrupted in the material. However, the existence of non-crystalline aggregates was assumed by the XRD data of the material. The gel material was probably obtained by the formation of cellulose aggregates in the solution, attributed to the gradual absorption of water. When the material was heated at 120 degrees C, it became soft, and converted into a fluid at 150 degrees C. By keeping the soft material at room temperature for 2 days, a gel material was regenerated, which was more transparent compared with the original material.