Development of value-added materials from renewable resources such as cellulose is of significant importance. In this work, cellulose was first regiospecifically modified with the hydroxyl groups at C2 and C6 being protected by a thexyldimethylsilyl group. Then a hydrophilic oligomer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was grafted to the C3 position to afford an amphiphilic cellulose derivative. The free end of PEG side chain was functionalized with an azido group. Uniform honeycomb films were cast with the formed cellulose azide. The effect of degree of substitution (DS) and length of PEG side chain on the formation of honeycomb films was studied. It was found that the molecular structure determined the formation of films. Bioactive molecules can be attached to the free end of PEG side chain via �click chemistry�; hence the formed films have potentially important applications such as biosensor and tissue engineering, etc.

Honeycomb films of cellulose azide: Molecular structure and formation of porous films

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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