Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer, soluble in both hot and cold water. Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether has a wide range of viscosities, and all aqueous solutions are non-Newtonian.
Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether has very good hydration properties. Its aqueous solution is smooth and uniform, with good fluidity and leveling
The following is the ideal molecular structure formula of hydroxyethyl cellulose ether：
N = degree of aggregation
There are three hydroxyl groups on each anhydroglucose unit in cellulose, which is treated with alkali in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to obtain cellulose sodium salt, and then undergoes etherification reaction with ethylene oxide to form hydroxyethyl cellulose ether. In the process of synthesizing HEC, ethylene oxide can not only replace the hydroxyl groups on cellulose, but also undergo a chain polymerization reaction with the hydroxyl groups in the substituted groups.