Title
High solubility of cellulose extracted from Tunisian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in a new ionic liquid
Authors
WIEM MARZOUK RAMZI ZARROUGUI and HATEM MAJDOUB

Received April 13, 2016
Published Volume 51 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords Phoenix dactylifera, cellulose, dissolution, ionic liquid

Abstract
A quick, straightforward, and environmentally friendly sample preparation method for dissolving cellulose was developed employing an ionic liquid as solvent. In this paper, an attempt to valorize date palm residues was made. The cellulose fibers were extracted from Tunisian date palm petioles. The chemical composition of date palm petioles was determined by assessing holocellulose, α-cellulose, and Klason lignin contents, solvent extractives, as well as ash. The following composition was found: 1.4% of extractives, 27.5% of lignin and 67.7% of hollocellulose. Finally, the solubility of cellulose in the ionic liquid (N-buthyl-N-methylpyrrolidium dibuthylphosphate) as 11% w:w at 80 °C was proven.