Recycling of ionphane films

Abstract

This thesis explores the recyclability of Ionphane, which is a cellulose film synthesized by the Ioncell® technology. The Ioncell® process is a Lyocell type dry-jet wet spinning technology and utilizes a powerful direct cellulose solvent 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium, acetate ([DBNH][OAc]) to produce cellulose films/fibers of excellent mechanical properties. To ensure the circularity of the produced cellulose films, they were recycled and turned into new films and fibers.

After 2 cycles of recycling the same cellulose films, the produced films showed a tenacity of 153.1 MPa and, the produced fiber from the recycled cellulose films with a tenacity of 41.07cN/tex. In comparison to their starting products the mechanical properties are only slightly reduced.