Researchers from Spain performed an experiment to analyze the thickening properties of NCO-functionalized cellulose derivatives in castor oil. Cellulose derivatives were initially functionalized with NCO and subsequently dispersed in castor oil to form oleogels. The oleogels were rheologically investigated and gel microstructure was determined.
Results showed that cellulose derivatives after NCO functionalization showed reduced thermal resistance but the oleogels showed increased thermal resistance. The difference in rheological properties is based on the balance between polar and non-polar groups in the biopolymer structure and the size of these substituents.