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A facile method to control the phase behavior of hydroxypropyl cellulose
Mateusz Gosecki1, Harri Setälä2, Tommi Virtanen2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 7HF, UK; Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363, Lodz, Poland.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|November 6, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a safe method to modify hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) into methylcarbamates. This modification allows tuning the polymer's lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a cellulose derivative with tunable properties.
- Modifying HPC's hydroxyl groups can alter its solution behavior.
- Hazardous reagents like methyl isocyanate have been traditionally used for such modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and safe chemical method for converting HPC hydroxyl groups into carbamates.
- To synthesize hydroxypropyl cellulose methylcarbamates (HPC-MCs) using a safer alternative reagent.
- To investigate the effect of methylcarbamate modification on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of HPC.
Main Methods:
- Reaction of HPC with N-methyl carbamoylimidazole to form HPC methylcarbamates.
- Synthesis of HPC methylcarbamates using a range of HPC with varying molar substitution.
- Measurement of LCST for synthesized HPC methylcarbamates.
- Surface tension studies to analyze hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance.
Main Results:
- A facile chemical method was established to convert HPC hydroxyl groups into methylcarbamates.
- Synthesized HPC methylcarbamates exhibited tunable LCST values ranging from 94 to 15 °C.
- A linear relationship was observed between LCST and the degree of methylcarbamate substitution.
- The impact of methylcarbamate modification on LCST was more pronounced in HPC with lower initial hydroxypropyl content.
Conclusions:
- N-methyl carbamoylimidazole provides a safe and effective alternative to methyl isocyanate for HPC modification.
- The methylcarbamate modification offers a controllable method to adjust the LCST of HPC.
- The findings enable the design of cellulose-based materials with tailored thermal-responsive properties.
