Silylated Cellulose Materials in Design of Supramolecular Structures of Ultrathin Cellulose Films

Abstract

To use the structure-forming potential and the biodegradability of cellulose and nonionic cellulose ethers, we developed synthesis pathways for soluble and regenerable silyl celluloses suitable for the design of advanced materials. A 6-0-silylation of cellulose takes place in a heterogeneous phase reaction in the presence of ammonia-saturated polar aprotic solvents at −15°C with thexyldimethylchlorosilane. After 2,3-di-O-methylation, this type of regioselectively-substituted cellulose derivatives yields sensor matrices for the detection of halohydrocarbons in air. On the other hand, thexyldimethylsilyl celluloses and trimethylsilyl celluloses with degrees of substitution in the 2.6 to 3.0 range form mono-and multilayered supramolecular structures by applying the Langmuir–Blodgett technique and, after desilylation, oriented ultrathin cellulose films.