Kinetics

Cellulose Regeneration – Cellulose as a Sustainable Alternative to Plastics

The environmental impact of both plastic production and use is a well-known issue. By deepening our understanding of alternative materials, we can gradually expand the possibilities of replacing plastics with sustainable solutions, such as cellulose, in a wide range of products.

Our research focuses on understanding the molecular process by which dissolved cellulose is regenerated into a solid material. By first dissolving cellulose at the molecular level and then regenerating it, often using an anti-solvent, materials with unique properties compared to the original fibrous material can be created. During the regeneration process, cellulose chains bind together due to changing solvent conditions, and by controlling this process, we can tailor the final properties of the material. We investigate how the regeneration process is influenced by the diffusion of various components, aggregation kinetics, and the presence of different ions. This knowledge enhances our ability to optimize processes for developing cellulose-based materials with customized properties and new applications.