Synthesis and characterization of carboxymethylcellulose grafted with thermoresponsive side chains of high LCST: The high temperature and high salinity self-assembly dependence

Graft copolymers based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and thermosensitive polyetheramines (ethylene oxide/propylene oxide = 33/10 and 1/9) were prepared in water, at room temperature, by using a carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide as activators. SLS was applied to obtain Mw, A2 and Rg of CMC and its derivatives. Amide linkages were evidenced by FTIR and grafting percentage was determined by 1H NMR. TGA demonstrated that copolymers were thermally more stable than their precursors. DLS, UV-vis and rheological measurements revealed that properties were salt- and thermo-responsive and linked to the polysaccharide/polyetheramine ratio and the hydrophobicity of the graft. None of the copolymers showed cloud point temperature (Tcp) in water, but they turned turbid in saline media when heated. Copolymers exhibited thermothickening behaviour at 60 °C (>Tcp) in saline media. Below their Tcp, they showed the ability of keeping constant viscosity or even slight increase it, which was interpreted in terms of intermolecular hydrophobic associations.