Properties and Uses of Hydroxyethyl cellulose

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is an important non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose derivative. It is a completely odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic white to light-yellow powder that readily dissolves in hot and cold water but is insoluble in most organic solvents. When dissolved in water, it forms a transparent viscous solution which has a non-Newtonian behavior.

The hydroxyl groups of HEC present in the side chains can be reacted with hydrophobic moities to modify the properties of HEC. For example, attaching polyether chains onto the cellulose (alkoxylation) yields hydrophobically modified HEC (HMHEC). It is an associative thickener that forms a reversible three-dimensional supramolecular network in solution through intra- and intermolecular associations of the hydrophobic groups.

Uses

1. HydroxyEthyl Cellulose and sodium ascorbate disperse in the organic solvent, and by spray drying, the encapsulated sodium ascorbate in particles can be directly compressed into tablets.

2. HydroxyEthyl Cellulose and maleic acid-styrene polymer can be dissolved in the organic solvent, can form the film when sprayed onto tablets, easy to dissolve.

3. In the intramuscular injection of vitamin B12, the addition of HydroxyEthyl Cellulose or Methyl Cellulose helps to extend the efficacy of B12.

4. In liquid or oily insecticides, the addition of HydroxyEthyl Cellulose can make the residual toxicity not hurt the beneficial insects such as bees.

5. In ice cream, frozen milk drinks, HydroxyEthyl Cellulose can be added as a stabilizer to extend the storage life and improve the the overflow property.

6. HydroxyEthyl Cellulose can be used as the stabilizer of beer foam.