Research highlight: Fibrillating wood with ionic liquids at the University of Helsinki

Aleksandar R. Todorov, a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Ilkka Kilpeläinen's team at the University of Helsinki, is developing a novel wood fibrillation method as part of the Emission Free Pulping program. His work focuses on replacing traditional wood fractionation with selective fibrillation of wood using ionic liquids, aiming to achieve a high material yield up to 95%.

By targeting pectin in the cell wall, this approach disintegrates the wood matrix into a fibrillated wood product. Unlike conventional methods, this process minimizes waste by retaining lignin and hemicellulose for future applications rather than removing them. The research relies on ionic liquids, molten salts that remain liquid at low temperatures, to enable a more efficient and environmentally conscious use of woody biomass.

Although still in its early stages, the project represents fascinating new opportunities in sustainable materials processing.

Wood chips fibrillated with ionic liquids