Dilute solution properties of hydroxyethyl starch

Abstract

Abstract The dilute solution properties of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) were examined by using the techniques of osmometry, light scattering, and viscometry. The molecular weight range was approximately 2 × 10 6 –0.06 × 10 6 . Since HES is a branched molecule, its properties were compared with those of two linear counterparts, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose. The branching index g was estimated to be about 0.3 when calculated from the intrinsic viscosity, radii of gyration, and second virial coefficients.