Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)–hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) based hydrogels: synthesis and characterization

A novel carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)–hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)-based hydrogel with sensitivity to environmental changes, pH and salts was synthesized by using fumaric acid and malic acid at various concentrations. Water uptake capacity of hydrogels was investigated in distilled water, various salt and pH solutions. From pH-dependent studies, it was found that greater water uptake values were observed at greater pH values (7.4), and reversible pH responsiveness of CMC–HEC based hydrogels was obtained. Decreasing the water uptake capacity with increasing of the charge of the metal cation (Al³⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Na⁺) demonstrated metal ion responsiveness of CMC–HEC-based hydrogels. From tensile tests of the hydrogels, a greater crosslinker concentration led to greater tensile strength values. Thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy images were used to determine the thermal stability and to observe morphological properties of the samples, respectively.