2009 年 34 巻 3 号 p. 391-394
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with different molar mass was prepared by acid hydrolysis at 121℃. CMC thus prepared was mixed with citric acid aqueous solution to form CMC-acid gel. By replacing sodium existing as counter ion in carboxymethyl group with hydrogen, CMC molecules coagulate and hydrogen bonds are formed among CMC molecules. The CMC-acid gel prepared in that way was subjected to evaluation of gel fraction, water absorption and mechanical properties. Gel fraction was higher in CMC with higher molar mass than that in CMC with lower molar mass at short incubation time. However, there was no difference in gel fraction attributable to molar mass of CMC after long time incubation. CMC with higher molar mass crosslinked more easily than CMC with lower molar mass. The gel made of CMC with lower molar mass was softer and absorbed more amount of water than that with higher molar mass. All the results were elucidated by number of hydrogen bonds in CMC molecule. The gel made of higher molar mass CMC becomes stiff and brittle after long time incubation, however, the gel made of lower molar mass CMC keeps softness and strength longer.
