Preparation of hydroxybutyl starch with a high degree of substitution and its application in temperature-sensitive hydrogels

• Hydroxybutyl starch with high degree of substitution was prepared. • Temperature-sensitive hydrogel was prepared from hydroxybutyl starch. • Hydrogels with hydroxybutyl starch had higher water absorption rate. In this work, hydroxybutyl starch prepared by acid, alkali, and acid-base synergistic pretreatments from waxy corn starch exhibited great potential for preparing temperature-sensitive hydrogels. The degree of substitution, morphology,...