The present proposal for a Medium Size Research project focuses on the advancement of knowledge in the solution treatment of carbohydrates with eco-sustainable, green solvent media. In particular, a selection of simple (glucose and trehalose) and more complex (cyclodextrins and cellulose) carbohydrates will be considered for dissolution in environmentally responsible Ionic Liquids (IL) and Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) media. Such solutions would be characterised using state of the art experimental (X-ray/Neutron scattering, NMR spectroscopy etc.) and computational (Molecular Dynamics) methods, in order to extract atomistically resolved information on the solvation process. The final goal of the study will be to extend the present level of knowledge on the carbohydrates solvation mechanism, in order to enable smart applications ranging from bio-mass handling to enhanced biomaterials cryoprotection and enable more environmentally-aware technologies. The proposing team has well-established reputation in the exploitation of the different techniques for such a task that guarantees the success of the proposed research plan.
