Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are common water-soluble cellulose derivatives, mainly used in thickening, suspension and gelling applications, but their chemical structures and properties are somewhat different. different.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is obtained by reacting sodium hydroxide and ethyl hydroxide. It has good solubility and rheological properties and is widely used in coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceutical preparations. Its main feature is its strong stability to temperature changes and its ability to remain stable within a wide pH range.

Carboxymethylcellulose, on the other hand, is produced by reacting cellulose with chloroacetic acid and contains carboxyl groups, giving it greater viscosity and the ability to form gels. CMC is commonly used in the fields of food, medicine, and cosmetics, especially as a thickener and stabilizer in food.

HEC and CMC have significant differences in chemical structure, solubility, viscosity and application fields. Which material to choose depends on the specific use needs and performance requirements.