Cellulose ethers are a class of polymer compounds obtained by chemically modifying natural cellulose. They are widely used in many industries, mainly due to their unique chemical properties, such as good solubility, thickening, film-forming, water retention and adhesion.
1. Construction industry
Cellulose ethers are widely used in building materials in the construction industry, especially in dry mortar and concrete formulations. Its main function is to improve construction performance, including enhancing water retention, improving bonding strength and improving construction operability.
Water retention: In cement-based materials, cellulose ethers can delay the evaporation of water through water retention, ensure the full hydration of the material, and help improve the adhesion and strength of the mortar.
Thickening and stability: The thickening effect of cellulose ethers enables the mortar to stably adhere to the surface of the substrate during use and is not easy to slide down. In addition, it can also prevent stratification and segregation during construction.
Fluidity and construction: Cellulose ethers can improve the fluidity of mortar, making construction smoother and the surface smoother after construction.
2. Pharmaceutical industry
In the pharmaceutical field, cellulose ethers are used as drug carriers, thickeners, tablet binders and controlled release materials. Its non-toxicity, non-irritation and good biocompatibility make it an important application in the pharmaceutical industry.
Controlled release drugs: The solubility and film-forming properties of cellulose ethers enable it to be used in the design of sustained-release and controlled-release drug formulations. In the preparation of sustained-release tablets, it can control the drug release rate and prolong the drug’s action time, thereby reducing the number of dosing times.
Drug stabilizers and solubilizers: Cellulose ethers can stabilize drug suspensions and prevent precipitation and agglomeration. They are widely used in eye drops, syrups and other liquid drugs.
Capsules and tablets: Cellulose ethers are used as binders and film-forming agents for tablets to improve the hardness, uniformity and stability of tablets.
3. Food industry
In the food industry, cellulose ethers are mainly used as thickeners, emulsifiers and stabilizers, especially in fat-free or low-fat food formulations. Its good water solubility and safety make it an important food additive.
Thickeners and stabilizers: Cellulose ethers can increase the viscosity of food and stabilize the structure of food, so that the food maintains a good taste and appearance during storage and transportation.
Emulsifiers: In foods such as dairy products, sauces and ice cream, cellulose ethers can act as emulsifiers to prevent oil separation and improve the taste.
Low-calorie substitutes: The low-calorie properties of cellulose ethers allow them to be used as fat substitutes in low-fat or fat-free foods, thereby maintaining the texture and taste of food while reducing calories.
4. Cosmetics and personal care products industry
Cellulose ethers play an important role in cosmetics and personal care products, such as skin care products, shampoos, face creams and sunscreens. It can act as a thickener, emulsifier and moisturizer.
Thickening and emulsification: In cosmetic formulations, cellulose ethers can increase the viscosity of the product, making it easier to apply, while improving the stability of the product and preventing stratification and precipitation.
Film-forming property: Cellulose ether has good film-forming property and can form a thin film on the skin surface to help lock in moisture and increase the moisturizing effect of the skin. It is often used in skin care products.
Suspending agent: In liquid products such as shampoo and facial cleanser, cellulose ether can help suspend insoluble ingredients, make the product uniform and consistent, and enhance the user experience.
5. Oil extraction and drilling industry
Cellulose ether is mainly used in drilling fluid, fracturing fluid and workover fluid in the oil industry to play the role of thickening, filtration reduction and stabilization.
Thickening effect: In drilling fluid, cellulose ether can increase the viscosity of the liquid, ensure that the drilling fluid can effectively carry drill cuttings and prevent well wall collapse.
Filtration reducer: Cellulose ether can reduce the filtration loss of drilling fluid, prevent excessive water penetration of the well wall, and reduce the instability and collapse risk of the well wall.
Stabilizer: In fracturing fluid, cellulose ether can stabilize the viscosity of the liquid, ensure the formation and extension of cracks during fracturing, and help improve oil recovery efficiency.
6. Papermaking and Textile Industry
The application of cellulose ether in papermaking and textile industry cannot be ignored. In the papermaking process, it can be used as pulp thickener and coating aid to improve the strength and surface smoothness of paper. In the textile industry, it is used as thickener and fixing agent in textile printing and dyeing.
Paper coating: Cellulose ether can form a stable coating liquid in the papermaking process, improving the smoothness, uniformity and durability of paper.
Dyeing and printing aids: In the textile printing and dyeing process, cellulose ether as a thickener can improve the adhesion of dyes, ensure uniform and bright colors, and improve the fineness and precision of printing.
7. Agricultural industry
Cellulose ether is also widely used in agriculture, especially in pesticide preparations, as a suspending agent, thickener and adhesive to ensure the effective spraying and stability of pesticides.
Pesticide suspending agent: Cellulose ether can make the insoluble components in pesticide preparations evenly distributed, prevent precipitation, and improve the uniformity of spraying.
Soil conditioner: Cellulose ether can also be used as a soil conditioner to increase the water retention capacity of the soil and improve the water absorption rate and drought resistance of crops.
8. Electronics and new materials industry
With the development of science and technology, cellulose ether has gradually been used in the electronics and new materials industry, such as as a binder for battery electrolytes, optical film materials, and stabilizers in nanomaterials.
Lithium battery adhesive: Cellulose ether can be used as a binder for lithium battery pole materials to ensure uniform coating of electrode materials and improve the conductivity and stability of the battery.
Nanomaterials: In the preparation of nanomaterials, cellulose ether, as a stabilizer and dispersant, can effectively control the size and distribution of nanoparticles, thereby improving the performance of the material.
Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, cellulose ether has played an important role in many industries such as construction, medicine, food, cosmetics, petroleum, paper and textile, agriculture, and new electronic materials. Its versatility and wide range of applications make it one of the indispensable materials in modern industry. In the future, with the advancement of technology, the application prospects of cellulose ether will be broader.