Electrospinning of native cellulose from nonvolatile solvent system

Electrospinning of cellulose in a highly efficient RTIL of 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl) was investigated. It was found that the introduction of co-solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) contributed to a continuous jet. The problems lying in nonvolatility and the high ionic strength of the RTIL were successfully resolved using a rotating copper-wire drum as a collector and solidifying the jet under high relative humidity. The water vapor played an important role in leading to ``skin formation'' which helped to stabilize the fibrous morphology, and finally smooth ultra-thin regenerated cellulose fibers were obtained