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 ([C4mim]+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.