Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies of Pore Structure in Cellulose Membranes

Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were carried out on cellulose membranes obtained by phase inversion from a solution of the polymer in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, by coagulation in water and selected primary alcohols. The invariant, Q, and the Guinier radius, $R_{G}$, computed directly from the small-angle X-ray scattering curve allowed us to estimate the pore dimensions and the pore volume fraction. It was found that both content and dimensions of pores depend on molecular mass of the coagulant used. Also, it was found that the dipole moment of coagulant molecules has a large influence on the volume content of the pores.