Data Management Plan: Reshaping cellulose: nano and micro beads through molecular self-assembly

The current proposal seeks for novel methods to replace synthetic polymers in microplastics (nano
and micro particles) with environmentally friendly cellulosic materials. We suggest two epochmaking
methods for cellulose regeneration: cellulose is shown to micro phase separate from its
solution in ionic liquids 1) upon cooling and 2) when transferred from ionic liquid to aqueous
media. Both processes result in formation of spherical beads of varying morphology. The beads
can be chemically modified to obtain biodegradable benign materials with designed properties.