Synthesis of high-strength microcrystalline cellulose hydrogel by viscosity adjustment. (15th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choe, Deokyeong; Kim, Young Min; Nam, Jae Eun; Nam, Keonwook; Shin, Chul Soo; Roh, Young Hoon
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 180(2018)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2018-01-15
• Subjects: MCC microcrystalline cellulose -- HS-MCC high-strength microcrystalline cellulose -- TBAF tetrabutylammonium fluoride -- DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide -- DP degree of polymerization -- LCP liquid crystalline phase -- DLS dynamic light scattering -- XRD X-ray diffraction -- CI crystallinity index -- FT-IR Fourier transform infrared -- LOI lateral order index -- TGA thermal gravimetric analysis -- IFRP insoluble fiber reducing power -- FE-SEM field emission scanning electron microscope; Microcrystalline cellulose -- High-strength hydrogel -- Cellulose hydrogel -- Viscosity; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.10.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Highlights: A high-strength microcrystalline cellulose (HS-MCC) hydrogel was synthesized. The hydrogel strength was enhanced by controlling the cellulose solution viscosity. The strongest HS-MCC hydrogel exhibited densely packed structure. The HS-MCC hydrogel strength and solution viscosity were positively correlated. Abstract: Developing hydrogels with enhanced mechanical strength is desirable for bio-related applications. For such applications, cellulose is a notable biopolymer for hydrogel synthesis due to its inherent strength and stiffness. Here, we report the viscosity-adjusted synthesis of a high-strength hydrogel through the physical entanglement of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in a solvent mixture of tetrabutylammonium fluoride/dimethyl sulfoxide (TBAF/DMSO). MCC was strategically dissolved with TBAF in DMSO at a controlled ratio to induce the formation of a liquid crystalline phase (LCP), which was closely related to the viscosity of the cellulose solution. The highest viscosity was obtained at 2.5% MCC and 3.5% TBAF, leading to the strongest high-strength MCC hydrogel (strongest HS-MCC hydrogel). The resulting hydrogel exhibited a high compressive strength of 0.38 MPa and a densely packed structure. Consequently, a positive linear correlation was determined between the viscosity of the cellulose solution and the mechanical strength of the HS-MCC hydrogel.