Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is a water-soluble polymer compound whose core functions are thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, film-forming, and binding. It is widely used in many fields.
Main Applications and Functions
1. Food Industry: As a food additive (code E466), it can thicken and improve taste, such as in yogurt, juice, and sauces; stabilize systems to prevent separation, such as in ice cream and beverages; and also act as a molding agent and water-retaining agent in bread, pastries, etc.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as an excipient in pharmaceutical preparations, such as a binder and disintegrant in tablets; a thickener in eye drops to prolong the drug's residence time in the eye; and as a base for ointments and gels to regulate consistency and stability.
3. Daily Chemical Products: Used in products such as toothpaste, shampoo, and laundry detergent, it acts as a thickener, suspends particles (such as abrasives in toothpaste), stabilizes foam, and enhances the user experience.
4. Other Applications: In the paper industry, it is used as a sizing agent and retention aid to improve paper strength and uniformity; in the textile industry, it is used as a pulp to enhance fiber adhesion; and in water treatment, it can be used as a flocculant to assist in water purification.
Key Supporting Properties
1. High water solubility: It can dissolve in cold or hot water to form a transparent colloid, which is the basis for its thickening and stabilizing effects.
2. Good compatibility: It can be used in combination with other additives (such as salts, sugars, and preservatives) without affecting the stability of the system.
3. Adjustable viscosity: By controlling the dosage or molecular weight, it can meet the consistency requirements of different products.
