High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose prepared by homogeneous method and its clouding and self-assembly behaviors

Shihao Wang; Xiaoyu Cheng; Tao Ma; Shasha Wang; Shilong Yang; Wenyuan Zhu; Junlong Song; Jingquan Han; Yongcan Jin; Jiaqi Guo

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121822

High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose prepared by homogeneous method and its clouding and self-assembly behaviors

Carbohydr Polym. 2024 Apr 15:330:121822. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121822. Epub 2024 Jan 15.

Authors

Shihao Wang¹, Xiaoyu Cheng¹, Tao Ma¹, Shasha Wang¹, Shilong Yang², Wenyuan Zhu¹, Junlong Song³, Jingquan Han⁴, Yongcan Jin¹, Jiaqi Guo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
² Advanced Analysis and Testing Center, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
³ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: junlong.song@njfu.edu.cn.
⁴ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
⁵ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: jiaqi.guo@njfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38368103
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121822

Abstract

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a sustainable cellulose derivative valued for its excellent biocompatibility and solubility and is widely used in various fields. Recent scientific research on high-substituted HPC mainly focused on its efficient preparation and phase transition behavior. Herein, a novel strategy of high-substituted HPC synthesis was demonstrated by employing DMSO/TBAF·3H₂O as a cellulose solvent, exhibiting more efficiency than traditional approaches. High-substituted HPC prepared has remarkable thermal stability, exceptional hydrophilicity, and satisfactory solubility. Phase transition behavior of HPC with varying molar degrees of substitution (MS) was delved and a notable negative correlation between MS and cloud point temperature (T_CP), was revealed, particularly evident at an MS of 12.3, where the T_CP drops to 33 °C. Moreover, a unique self-assembly behavior featuring structural color and responsiveness to force in a solvent-free environment emerged when the MS exceeded 10.4. These insights comprehensively strengthen the understanding and knowledge of high-substituted HPC, simultaneously paving the way for further HPC investigation and exploitation.

Keywords: Cellulose derivative; Clouding behavior; High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose; Self-assembly.