This work reports the synthesis of gels derived from cellulose acetate (CA) with degree of substitution (DS) 2.5 through esterification and crosslinking reactions. The free hydroxyl groups were reacted by using dianhydride of acid 1,2,4,5 benzenotetracarboxylic (PMDA) as modifier in a homogeneous media. Characterization was performed with Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), retrotitration (known as back titration) to determine the degree of substitution of AC and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The gels were synthesized with the following stoichiometric ratios: [1:1], [1:2/3], [1:3] and [3:1] PMDA mol/mol of free OH, respectively. A gel was synthesized in excess of 200% of PMDA in relation to free OH groups of the AC. The basis of the Flory-Rehner theory was used for determining crosslinking in the gels. Briefly, the main results showed that the crosslinking density increased proportionally to the amount of PMDA added to the reaction medium. Distinct AFM topographies were obtained for distinct gels, which were also different from the polymer cellulose acetate. This work was motivated by the technological importance of polymers from renewable sources such as cellulose, in which a cellulose derivative was developed with promising application in drug delivery and in adsorption of heavy metals in aqueous systems. The advantage of this cellulose acetate derivative is the use of fewer steps in its synthesis.
Gel; crosslink; cellulose acetate
