Microfluidic Synthesis of Microfibers Based on Regeneration of Cellulose from Ionic Liquids

Rectangular cellulose microfibers were synthesized by regenerating cellulose from an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, in a hydrodynamic flow-focusing microfluidic device. This technique is a fast and single-step approach for producing natural polymer microfibers. The dimensions of the cellulose microfibers were readily controlled by a simple variation of the core-sheath flow rate and the viscosity of fluids.