Cellulose ethers have a long history of production and research, dating back to the late 19th century. The first cellulose ether, ethyl cellulose, was developed in the 1860s by the British chemist Alexander Parkes. In the early 1900s, another cellulose ether, methyl cellulose, was developed by the German chemist Arthur Eichengrün.
During the 20th century, the production and research of cellulose ethers expanded significantly. In the 1920s, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was developed as a water-soluble cellulose ether. This was followed by the development of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) in the 1930s, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in the 1950s. These cellulose ethers are widely used today in a range of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and construction.
In the food industry, cellulose ethers are used as thickeners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. They are commonly used in products such as salad dressings, ice cream, and baked goods. In the pharmaceutical industry, cellulose ethers are used as binders, disintegrants, and coating agents in tablets and capsules. In the cosmetics industry, they are used as thickening agents and emulsifiers in creams and lotions. In the construction industry, cellulose ethers are used as water-retention agents and workability enhancers in cement and mortar.
Research into cellulose ethers continues to this day, with a focus on developing new and improved cellulose ethers with enhanced properties and functionality. Advances in technology have led to the development of new methods for producing cellulose ethers, such as enzymatic modification and chemical modification using green solvents. The ongoing research and development of cellulose ethers are expected to lead to new applications and markets for these versatile materials in the years to come.