Thermoreversible gelation of hydroxypropylcellulose aqueous solutions

The thermoreversible gelation of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC)/water solutions is investigated by means of rheological and optical techniques. The linear viscoelasticity of solutions at different concentrations is measured during heating ramps from room temperature. The experimental results suggest that the solution microstructure changes according to two sequential steps, i.e., precipitation and gelation. Temperature, temperature rate of change, and concentration are found to be relevant parameters controlling the phase transition.