A Novel Reactive Extrusion Process for Preparing Carboxymethyl Cellulose Ethers: Optimization of Reaction and Extrusion Conditions

In a previous study, we had prepared carboxymethyl ethers of cellulose using reactive extrusion and studied the effects of water, ethanol and NaOH on the reaction efficiency. In this study, we explored the effect of a nitrogen atmosphere, during the reactive extrusion process, to improve the viscosity of the resulting carboxymethyl cellulose. We optimized the reaction and extrusion conditions for preparing carboxymethyl cellulose with high viscosity. The molecular properties of the carboxymethyl cellulose, prepared using reactive extrusion, were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The result of the molecular properties on the functional properties of carboxymethyl cellulose were studied and compared to that of commercially available products.