Comparison of physical properties of regenerated cellulose films fabricated with different cellulose feedstocks in ionic liquid

• Cellulose films with different cellulosic feedstocks were prepared in ionic liquid.
• Physical properties of films were mainly determined by their degree polymerization.
• Films prepared from cotton linters showed superior thermal stability.
• The pine cellulose film sample possessed the most excellent mechanical properties.

With the serious “white pollution” resulted from the non-biodegradable plastic films, considerable attention has been directed toward the development of renewable and biodegradable cellulose-based film materials as substitutes of petroleum-derived materials. In this study, environmentally friendly cellulose films were successfully prepared using different celluloses (pine, cotton, bamboo, MCC) as raw materials and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a solvent. The SEM and AFM indicated that all cellulose films displayed a homogeneous and smooth surface. In addition, the FT-IR and XRD analysis showed the transition from cellulose I to II was occurred after the dissolution and regeneration process. Furthermore, the cellulose films prepared by cotton linters and pine possessed the most excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties, which were suggested by the highest onset temperature (285 °C) and tensile stress (120 MPa), respectively. Their excellent properties of regenerated cellulose films are promising for applications in food packaging and medical materials.