Synthesis and general properties of silated-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in prospect of biomedical use

Synthesis of grafting silane on a hydro, soluble cellulose ether (HPMC) was described. In alkaline medium, this derivate is under gel form. With a decrease of the pH, a self-hardening occurs due to the silanol condensation. For potential biomedical use, we described the silated-HPMC synthesis, the gel behavior after steam sterilization and the parameters of the silanol condensation i.e. pH, silane percentage and temperature. Minimum kinetic of the condensation was observed for pH between 5.5 and 6.5. So temperature catalyzed the reaction and the self-hardening speed was increased by silane percentage. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.