2025-12-08 カナダ・ブリティッシュコロンビア大学 (UBC)
＜関連情報＞
- https://news.ubc.ca/2025/12/ubc-team-develops-greener-way-to-produce-clothing-fibres/
- https://www.cell.com/chem-circularity/fulltext/S3051-2948(25)00002-7
溶解したセルロースとの界面結合により、ミクロフィブリル化セルロースを連続フィラメントに変える Turning microfibrillated cellulose into continuous filaments through interfacial binding with dissolved cellulose
Huayu Liu ∙ Hao Sun ∙ Carolina Carvajal Plaza ∙ Xia Sun ∙ Qi Hua ∙ Feng Jiang
Chem Circularity Published:December 1, 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checir.2025.100002
Graphical abstract
Context & scale
The textile industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived fibers. Although regenerated cellulose fibers, such as viscose and lyocell, are bio-based, their production relies on toxic solvents and energy-intensive processes, limiting their circularity and environmental sustainability. This study introduces a strategy for transforming microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) directly into continuous filaments through interfacial binding with ionic-liquid-dissolved cellulose (DC). By combining the mechanical fibrillation of wood fibers with a recyclable solvent system, this approach enables stable wet spinning of all-cellulose filaments with high mechanical strength and flexibility suitable for textile weaving.
Highlights
- Continuous microfibrillated cellulose filament prepared via interfacial binding
- Hybrid cellulose network improves fluidity and reinforces gel-fiber integrity
- All-cellulose filaments reach 226.5 MPa strength with excellent flexibility
- Closed-loop solvent system ensures efficient recovery and reuse
Summary
Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), produced directly through mechanical fibrillation, is an abundant raw material for textile fibers because of its hyperbranched network and minimal chemical usage. However, poor rheological properties and a tendency for phase separation as a result of insufficient water binding hinder continuous wet spinning. Herein, we introduce an interfacial binding strategy for improving MFC’s rheological behavior by incorporating ionic-liquid-dissolved cellulose, enabling the preparation of continuous MFC-based filaments. Specifically, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl)-dissolved cellulose (DC) forms a fluidized layer on MFC surfaces to improve flow behavior and fiber entanglement, whereas dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) competes for hydrogen bonding to prevent MFC dissolution. The resulting MFC/DC filaments exhibit a tensile strength of 226.5 ± 7.6 MPa, a strain at break of 7.7% ± 0.4%, and a flexibility suitable for weaving. All solvents are efficiently recycled, offering a scalable and sustainable route to high-performance cellulose fibers as potential alternatives to synthetic textiles.
