Dissolution of cellulose by aqueous alkali/urea system and its application

The dissolution of cellulose is a crucial step for processed cellulosic material. In this study, dissolution of cellulose by alkali/urea system was examined by DSC and X-ray diffraction technique. It was found that alkali molecules solubilize cellulose molecules in aqueous alkaline solution and urea somehow stabilizes this alkali-hydrated cellulose. Also, the characteristic property of cellulose gel coagulated from alkali/urea system will be shown.