Initiating Highly Effective Hydrolysis of Regenerated Cellulose by Controlling Transition of Crystal Form with Sulfolane under Microwave Radiation

By researching the transition of the crystal form of regenerated cellulose (RC) during hydrolysis, the key factor to achieving highly effective hydrolysis under microwave radiation is adequately recognized as reducing the formation of cellulose I during hydrolysis. With the suitable use of sulfolane, the formation of cellulose I within the process of recrystallization during hydrolysis is inhibited and thus highly promotes the reactivity of RC. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the hydrolysis of regenerated cellulose is successfully induced. The more sulfolane is used, the less cellulose I forms. As a result, a more effective hydrolysis of RC is produced. After increasing the ratio of sulfolane to 80 wt %, the conversion of cellulose is obviously improved with the highest amount over 98%. Under this condition, the yield of total reducing sugars is up to 71.9%. On the basis of controlling the transition of crystal form of regenerated cellulose, our research not only suggests an effective way to hydrolyze RC, but also provides an understanding of the critical principle of reducing the formation of cellulose I within the process of recrystallization during hydrolysis to initiate the hydrolysis of cellulose with high effectiveness.