A Novel Liquid-Crystalline Phase in Dilute Aqueous Solutions of Methylcellulose

The existence of liquid‐crystalline (LC) phases in dilute methylcellulose solutions is demonstrated by exothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves upon heating and is evidenced by a discontinuity of the dynamic storage modulus when the concentration of methylcellulose increases. This crystalline phenomenon is further confirmed by polarized light microscopy and optical rotatory dispersion measurements. It is found that the appearance of the LC formation is related to the temperature, concentration, and molecular weight of methylcellulose. The exothermic peaks in DSC curves upon heating and cooling, and conformational transitions in ORD profiles for 2.5 g · L−1 SM4000 methylcellulose aqueous solutions.