Evaluation of novel applications of cellulose hydrogel films reconstituted from acetate and chloride of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium by comparing their optical, mechanical, and adsorption properties

• Fabrication of the transparent and flexible cellulose hydrogel films using BmimAc.
• Evaluation of performance properties of hydrogels prepared with BmimAc and BmimCl.
• Enhanced mechanical properties of cellulose hydrogels as a result of use of BmimAc.
• BmimAc-reconstituted cellulose hydrogels are a good adsorbent of indigo carmine.
• Hydrogels regenerated from BmimCl is a good matrix for immobilization of pyronin B.

To evaluate new applications of cellulose hydrogel films prepared via the dissolution-regeneration of microcrystalline cellulose in two hydrophilic ionic liquids – 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BmimAc) and chloride (BmimCl), their optical, mechanical, and adsorption properties were concurrently studied and compared for the first time. The mild conditions under which both films were optically transparent and easy to handle were found. The BmimAc-reconstituted films exhibited an increased tensile strength and elongation at break of 9.5 and 2.5 times, respectively, than the BmimCl-reconstituted films. Due to the sponge-like morphology of the surface, BmimAc-reconstituted films demonstrate enhanced adsorption ability with respect to indigo carmine that is widely applied for industrial needs. This finding opens up opportunities for their use as an adsorbent for dyes. BmimCl-reconstituted films appeared to be a more promising material for the noncovalent immobilization of pyronin B, which is a component of the optical indicator systems for detecting different biologically active compounds.

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