Study of rheological behavior of hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose

Abstract

Abstract Hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (BD‐HAHEC) was synthesized by the macromolecular reaction of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) with bromododecane (BD). Study of the effects of polymer concentration, shear rate, temperature, and electrolytes on the rheological behavior of BD‐HAHEC indicated that the polymers had high viscosity, excellent viscosity retention in brine water, good thermal stability, and surface activity. Furthermore, investigation of the micromorphology of BD‐HAHEC solutions revealed the close relationship of rheological behavior and a hydrophobically associating effect. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3346–3352, 2006