The difference between hydroxypropyl and hydroxyethyl cellulose: different properties; Different uses; Different solubility.
1. Different traits
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose: White or almost white fibrous or granular powder, belonging to a variety of non ionic cellulose mixed ethers. It is a semi synthetic, inactive, viscoelastic polymer.
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose:
Hydroxyethylcellulose:
Hydroxyethylcellulose: (HEC) is a white or light yellow, odorless, non-toxic fibrous or powdered solid prepared by etherification of alkaline cellulose and ethylene oxide (or chloroethanol), belonging to the non ionic soluble cellulose ether class.
2. Different uses
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose: Used as a thickener, dispersant, and stabilizer in the paint industry, it has good solubility in water or organic solvents. As a paint remover; As a dispersant in the production of polyvinyl chloride, it is the main auxiliary agent for preparing PVC through suspension polymerization; It is also widely used in leather, paper products, fruit and vegetable preservation, and textile industries.
Hydroxyethylcellulose: used as an adhesive, surfactant, colloid protector, dispersant, emulsifier, and dispersion stabilizer. It has extensive applications in fields such as coatings, inks, fibers, dyeing, papermaking, cosmetics, pesticides, mineral processing, oil extraction, and pharmaceuticals.
3. Different solubility
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose: almost insoluble in anhydrous ethanol, ether, and acetone; Dissolve in cold water to form a clear or slightly turbid colloidal solution.
Hydroxyethylcellulose: It has properties such as thickening, suspension, adhesion, emulsification, dispersion, and water retention. Can prepare solutions with different viscosity ranges. Has abnormally good salt solubility in electrolytes.
