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Biodegradable Polymers from Renewable Sources. New Hemicellulose-Based Hydrogels
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2001
Year
Biopolymer GelHydrogelsChemical EngineeringBiomanufacturingEngineeringNmr SpectroscopyModification ReactionRenewable PolymersPolymer ScienceSustainable PolymerChemical ModificationBiodegradable PolymersRenewable SourcesHemicelluloseNanocellulosePolymer ChemistryWood ComponentSustainable Polymers
Hemicellulose was chemically modified with methacrylic groups and then copolymerized with HEMA via radical polymerization using a redox initiator, with reaction kinetics monitored by 1H NMR. The resulting hydrogels were homogeneous, elastic, and transparent after a 30‑minute reaction.
Hemicellulose/poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)-based hydrogels were prepared by the radical polymerization of HEMA with hemicellulose purposely modified with well-defined amounts of methacrylic functions using a redox initiator system. Oligomeric hydrosoluble hemicelluloses produced from spruce chips were used for modification studies. The chemical modification of hemicellulose was performed with 2-[(1-imidazolyl)formyloxy]ethyl methacrylate as a modifying agent and triethylamine as the catalyst. The kinetics of the modification reaction was monitored by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy. The resulting hydrogels obtained after a 30 min reaction were homogeneous, elastic, and transparent materials.