Study of thermal gelation of methylcellulose in water using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy

Thermal gelation of methylcellulose in water was studied using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. It is found that the formation of a three-dimensional network of physical cross-links between macromolecules of methylcellulose on gelation occurs not only as the result of hydrophobic association of methoxyl substituents but also due to the formation of inter-chain hydrogen bonds involving unsubstituted primary hydroxyl groups accompanied by a conformational change in the polymer backbone.