Cobalt (II) Chloride Promoted Formation of Honeycomb Patterned Cellulose Acetate Films

Journal article, 2012

CoCl2 containing honeycomb patterned films were prepared from cellulose acetate (CA)/CoCl2/acetone solutions by the breath figure method in a wide range of humidities. Size and pore regularity depend on the CA/CoCl2 molar ratio and humidity. When replacing CoCl2 with Co(NO3)2 or CoBr2, no formation of ordered porosity in the cellulose acetate films is observed. According to data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, the key role in the formation of honeycomb structures can be attributed to the physical and chemical properties of CoCl2 – hygroscopicity, low interaction with CA, and extraction from CA/CoCl2/acetone solution by water droplets condensed on the surface of the CA/CoCl2 solution. Obtained films are prospective for using in catalysis, hydrogen fuel cells, and optical sensing materials.