RT Journal Article T1 Influence of functionalization degree on the rheological properties of isocyanate-functionalized chitin- and chitosan-based chemical oleogels for lubricant applications A1 Gallego Calvo, Rocío A1 González, Mercedes A1 Fernández Arteaga, Jesús A1 Valencia Barragán, Concepción A1 Franco Gómez, José María AB This work deals with the influence of functionalization degree on thethermogravimetric and rheological behaviour of NCO-functionalized chitosan- andchitin-based oleogels. Chitosan and chitin were functionalized using different proportionsof 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and subsequently dispersed in castor oil topromote the chemical reaction between the –NCO group of the modified biopolymer andthe –OH group located in the ricinoleic fatty acid chain of castor oil, thus resulting indifferent oleogels with specific thermogravimetric and rheological characteristics.Biopolymers and oleogels were characterized through Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Small-amplitude oscillatoryshear (SAOS) measurements were performed on the oleogels. Oleogels presented suitablethermal resistance, despite the fact that the inclusion of HMDI moieties in the polymerstructure led to a reduction in the onset temperature of thermal degradation. The insertionof low amounts of HMDI in both chitin and chitosan produces a drastic reduction in thevalues of oleogel viscoelastic functions but, above a critical threshold, they increase with the functionalization degree so that isocyanate functionalization results in a chemical toolto modulate oleogel rheological response. Several NCO-functionalized chitosan- andchitin-based oleogel formulations present suitable thermal resistance and rheologicalcharacteristics to be proposed as bio-based alternatives to traditional lubricating greases. PB MDPI SN 2073-4360 YR 2014 FD 2014 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10272/8750 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10272/8750 LA eng NO Gallego, R., González, M., Fernández Arteaga, J., Valencia Barragán, C.: "Influence of functionalization degree on the rheological properties of isocyanate-functionalized chitin- and chitosan-based chemical oleogels for lubricant applications". Vol. 6, págs. 1929-1947, 2014. ISSN 2073-4360 NO This work is part of two research projects (CTQ2010-15338 and TEP-1499) sponsored by MINECO-FEDER (70% European cofunding rate) and Junta de Andalucia programmes, respectively. One of the authors (Rocio Gallego) has received a Ph.D. Research Grant from DIGICyT (MINECO). The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support. DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva RD 31 may 2026