Controllable Synthesis of Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Its Application in Tobacco Sheets

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with different degree of substitution (DS) was prepared by controlling feed ratio and times of alkalization and etherification. CMC with different molecular weight was prepared by degradation of hydrochloric acid solution. Orthogonal experiments were designed to study the effects of addition amount, molecular weight and DS of CMC on the tensile strength of tobacco sheets. The effects of CMC on the thermal properties and aerosol release of tobacco sheets were also studied. The results showed that the addition amount and the molecular weight of CMC had obvious effect on the tensile strength of tobacco sheets. The DS of CMC had no significant effect on the tensile strength of tobacco sheets. The addition of CMC improved the thermal stability of tobacco sheets to a certain extent, and had certain influence on the content of nicotine in aerosol.