Rheological properties of mixed solutions of cellulose and layered aluminosilicates in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide

Abstract

The structure and rheological behavior of cellulose solutions in the high-polarity donor solvent N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide containing particles of layered aluminosilicates of various natures, namely, natural hydrophilic montmorillonite (Cloisite Na+) and hydrophobized montmorillonite (Cloisite 20A), are studied. The rheological properties of the mixed systems cellulose-N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide-Cloisite Na+ and cellulose-N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide-Cloisite 20A are similar, although their structures are different. This similarity may be explained by the fact that the highly developed structure of the cellulose matrix phase resulting from strong interactions between polar components of the system exerts the decisive effect on the character of flow of mixed solutions. Therefore, the filler assumes the minor role. The concentration dependences of solution viscosity turn out to be atypical when the content of moisture in Cloisite 20A is increased above the equilibrium value and when M2Cloisite Na+ nanoparticles modified in a certain manner are introduced into cellulose solutions.