Probing interfacial interactions: Ionic liquids and cellulose thin films.

The efficient processing of cellulosic materials with ionic liquids heavily relies on the initial contact and wetting phase, which are crucial yet poorly understood in many ionic liquid/cellulose interactions. In this study, we explore these interactions through comprehensive wetting experiments and a robust mathematical framework. By leveraging molecular-kinetic theory (MKT), we illuminate the key factors affecting these interactions, such as viscosity and ion pair volume, and identify specific cellulose chain groups involved in the process.