Magnetite-embedded cellulose fibers prepared from ionic liquid

A dry-jet wet spinning process for making magnetically active cellulose fibers has been developed using the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim]Cl). Cellulose from different sources with various degrees of polymerization (DP) was used for making fibers by first dissolving the cellulose in the IL, dispersing particles of magnetite in the solution, and then coagulating the fibers in a water bath under appropriate spinning conditions. The variation of fiber properties with cellulose source and concentration of magnetite is discussed. Fiber texture was found to be related to overall magnetite concentration, cellulose concentration, and molecular weight in the spinning solution. In general, it was found that increasing DP and/or cellulose concentration resulted in more robust fibers, and conversely the addition of magnetite particles weakened the overall mechanical properties.