Modulating carboxymethylcellulose-based hydrogels with superior mechanical and rheological properties for future biomedical applications
Nuraina Anisa Dahlan, Sin‐Yeang Teow, Yau Yan Lim, Janarthanan Pushpamalar
Abstract
Polymers modification is an exciting field of study, especially in applied science research. Modification of polymers to produce new polymeric materials through methods such as physical and chemical processes have been extensively studied over the past few decades The physical process involves blending, irradiation, and oxidation with gases is a direct method to produce new polymeric materials. However, it was reported that the physical blending of two polymers with distinct properties could result in undesirable mechanical strength and water absorption On the other hand, chemically modified polymer through techniques such as grafting has advantages over several physical processes. This includes controllable and specific binding of interest polymer chains through the formation of covalent bonds between chemically reactive functional groups Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a low-cost natural polysaccharide with a wide range of applications. CMC is commonly used as a thickener, viscosity modifier, and water retention agent in the food industry as well as textile, flocculation, and oil drilling industries. CMC is known to be non-cytotoxic,