Homogeneous synthesis of cellulose stearates with different degrees of substitution in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

Cellulose stearates with different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared homogeneously in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C 4 mim] + Cl − ) solution. Cellulose stearates with DS values of 2.15, 2.19 and 2.57 exhibited good solubility in nonpolar organic solvents . It was indicated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that the melting temperatures of the three cellulose stearates ranged from 38.66 to 56.63   °C. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis showed that the commencing degradation temperature of the three cellulose stearates were 300   °C, 325   °C and 370   °C, respectively. The cellulose stearate with the DS value of 2.57 has better thermal stability than cellulose.