Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble cellulose derivatives with thermo- and pH-sensitive functional groups

A series of water-soluble cellulose derivatives with thermo- and pH-sensitive proper-ties were prepared in aqueous solutions by the graft copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) was used in combination with nitric acid as the initiator system. The effects of various factors such as CAN concentration, NIPAAm and CMC amounts as well as reaction temperature on the grafting percentage and efficiency were studied. The resultant cellulose derivatives were characterized with respect to their structure and aqueous solution properties by IR spectra, thermogravimetric analyses and optical transmittance measurements.