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Carboxy methyl cellulose or cellulose gum is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups (-CH2-COOH) bound to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is often used in its sodium salt form, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
The addition of carboxylic acid groups to the cellulose backbone allows carboxymethyl cellulose to be dissolved in water unlike natural cellulose.
CAS: 9004-32-4
MF: C6H7O2(OH)2CH2COONa
EINECS: 618-378-6
Synonyms
Aquacide I, Calbiochem;Aquacide II, Calbiochem;Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose sodium;Cellex;Cellulose carboxymethyl ether, sodium;SODIUM CARBOXY METHYL CELLULOSE (CMC);SCMC(SODIUM CARBOXY METHYL CELULLOSE;SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE 62% MIN.
This allows its use in numerous food and pharmaceutical applications that require water-soluble polymers.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a water-soluble polymer.
As a solution in water, Carboxy methyl cellulose has thixotropic properties.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is useful in helping to hold the components of pyrotechnic compositions in aqucous suspension (e.g., in the making of black match).
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also an especially effective binder that can be used in small amounts in compositions, where the binder can intcrfere with the intended effect (e.g., in strobe compositions).
However, its sodium content obviously precludes its use in most color compositions.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is manufactured from cellulose by various proccsses that replacc some of the hy drogen atoms in the hydroxyl[OH] groups of the cellulose molecule with acidic carboxymethyl [-CH2CO.OH] groups，which are neutralized to form the corresponding sodium salt.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is white when pure; industrial grade material may be grayish-white or cream granules or powder.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is tackifier, at room temperature, it is non-toxic tasteless white flocculent powder, Carboxy methyl cellulose is stable and soluble in water, aqueous solution is neutral or alkaline transparent viscous liquid, it is soluble in other water-soluble gums and resins, Carboxy methyl cellulose is insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is the substituted product of cellulosic carboxymethyl group.
According to their molecular weight or degree of substitution, Carboxy methyl cellulose can be completely dissolved or insoluble polymer, the latter can be used as the weak acid cation of exchanger to separate neutral or basic proteins.
Carboxy methyl cellulose can form highly viscous colloidal solution with adhesive, thickening, flowing, emulsifying, shaping, water, protective colloid, film forming, acid, salt, suspensions and other characteristics, and Carboxy methyl cellulose is physiologically harmless, so it is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, oil, paper, textiles, construction and other areas of production.
A semisynthetic, water-soluble polymer in which CH 2 COOH groups are substituted on the glucose units of the cellulose chain through an ether link- age.
Mw ranges from 21,000 to 500,000. Since the reaction occurs in an alkaline medium, the prod- uct is the sodium salt of the carboxylic acid R-O- CH 2 COONa.
Carboxy methyl cellulose belongs to the class of anionic linear structured cellulose.
Carboxy methyl cellulose's components consist of polysaccharide composed of fibrous tissues of plants.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a water soluble polymer which can be used as a polyelectrolyte cellulose derivative.
Carboxy methyl cellulose Chemical Properties
Melting point: 274 °C (dec.)
density: 1,6 g/cm3
FEMA: 2239 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE
refractive index: 1.515
storage temp.: room temp
solubility H2O: 20 mg/mL, soluble
pka: 4.30(at 25℃)
form: low viscosity
color: White to light yellow
Odor: Odorless
PH Range: 6.5 - 8.5
PH: pH (10g/l, 25℃) 6.0～8.0
biological source: wood (pulp)
Water Solubility: soluble
Merck: 14,1829
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: EMULSION STABILISING FRAGRANCE VISCOSITY CONTROLLING FILM FORMING BINDING
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (9004-32-4)
InChI: 1S/C6H12O6.C2H4O2.Na/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8;1-2(3)4;/h1,3-6,8-12H,2H2;1H3,(H,3,4);
InChIKey: DPXJVFZANSGRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
EPA Substance Registry System: Carboxy methyl cellulose (9004-32-4)
Structure
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a derivative of the regenerated cellulose [C6H10O5]n with hydroxy-acetic acid (hydroxyethanoic acid) CH2(OH)COOH or sodium monochloroacetate (Na[ClCH2COO]).
The Carboxy methyl cellulose backbone consists of D-glucose residues linked by -1,4-linkage.
Carboxy methyl cellulose has carboxymethyl groups (-CH2-COOH) bound to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is often used as its sodium salt, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
Properties
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a white or lightly yellow powder with no odor, flavor, or poisonous properties.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is hygroscopic and dissolves well in hot or cold water, forming a viscous solution.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is not soluble in organic solvents like methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, and benzene.
The functional properties of CMC depend on the degree of substitution of the cellulose structure (i.e., how many of the hydroxyl groups have been converted to carboxymethylene groups in the substitution reaction), as well as the chain length of the cellulose backbone structure and the degree of clustering of the carboxymethyl substituents.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is commonly used as a viscosity modifier or thickener and to stabilize emulsions in various products, both food and non-food-related.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is mainly used because it has a high viscosity, is nontoxic, and is generally considered to be hypoallergenic.
Uses
Carboxy methyl cellulose is frequently called simply carboxymethyl cellulose and also known as cellulose gum.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is derived from purified cellulose from cotton and wood pulp.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a water dispersible sodium salt of carboxy-methyl ether of cellulose that forms a clear colloidal solution.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a hygroscopic material that has the ability to absorb more than 50% of water at high humidity.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also a natural polymeric derivative that can be used in detergents, food and textile industries.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is one of the most important products of cellulose ethers, which are formed by natural cellulose modification as a kind of cellulose derivate with an ether structure.
Due to the fact that the acid form of Carboxy methyl cellulose has poor water solubility, it is usually preserved as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, which is widely used in many industries and regarded as monosodium glutamate in industry.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in cigarette adhesive, fabric sizing, footwear paste meal, home slimy.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in interior painting architectural, building lines melamine, thickening mortar, concrete enhancement.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in refractory fiber, ceramic production molding bond.
Carboxy methyl celluloseis used in oil drilling, exploration address slurry thickening, reducing water loss, quality paper surface sizing.
Carboxy methyl cellulose can be used as soap and washing powder detergent active additives, as well as other industrial production on the dispersion, emulsification, stability, suspension, film, paper, polishing and the like.
Quality product can be used for toothpaste, medicine, food and other industrial sectors.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a thickener, binder, and emulsifier equivalent to cellulose fiber.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is resistant to bacterial decomposition and provides a product with uniform viscosity.
Carboxy methyl cellulose can prevent skin moisture loss by forming a film on the skin’s surface, and also help mask odor in a cosmetic product.
Constituents are any of several fibrous substances consisting of the chief part of a plant’s cell walls (often extracted from wood pulp or cotton).
In drilling muds, in detergents as a soil-suspending agent, in resin emulsion paints, adhesives, printing inks, textile sizes, as protective colloid in general.
As stabilizer in foods.
Pharmaceutic aid (suspending agent; tablet excipient; viscosity-increasing agent).
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in drilling muds, in detergents as a soil-suspending agent, in resin emulsion paints, adhesives, printing inks, textile sizes and protective colloid.
Carboxy methyl cellulose acts as a stabilizer in foods.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also employed in pharmaceuticals as a suspending agent and excipients for tablets.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used as viscosity modifiers to stabilize the emulsions.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used as a lubricant in artificial tears and it is used to characterize enzyme activity from endoglucanases.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in applications ranging from food production to medical treatments.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is commonly used as a viscosity modifier or thickener and to stabilize emulsions in both food and non-food products.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used primarily because it has high viscosity, is nontoxic, and is generally considered to be hypoallergenic, as the major source fiber is either softwood pulp or cotton linter.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in non-food products which include products such as toothpaste, laxatives, diet pills, water-based paints, detergents, textile sizing, reusable heat packs, various paper products, filtration materials, synthetic membranes, wound healing applications, and also in leather crafting to help burnish edges.
Food
Carboxy methyl cellulose is registered as E466 or E469 (when it is enzymatically hydrolyzed).
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used as a viscosity modifier or thickener and to stabilize emulsions in various products, including ice cream, mayonnaise, and beverages.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used extensively in gluten-free and reduced-fat food products.
Carboxy methyl cellulose injections have also been used in food fraud, to fraudulently increase the weight and visual appeal of shrimp and prawns so as to short-weight customers.
Carboxy methyl cellulose's variable viscosity (high while cold, and low while hot) makes it useful in the preparation of cold foods and textures in beverages and edible gels.
With a degree of substitution (DS) around 1.0, it can prevent dehydration and shrinkage of gelatin while also contributing to a more airy structure.
In some foods, Carboxy methyl cellulose can be used to control oil and moisture content.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used to achieve tartrate or cold stability in wine, which can prevent excess energy usage while chilling wine in warm climates.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is more stable than metatartaric acid and inhibits tartrate crystal nucleation and growth.
Carboxy methyl cellulose powder is widely used in the ice cream industry to make ice creams without the need for churning or extremely low temperatures.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in baking breads and cakes.
The use of Carboxy methyl cellulose gives the loaf an improved quality (e.g., texture) at a reduced cost by reducing the need for fat.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used as an emulsifier in sweet biscuits.
Dispersing fat uniformly in the dough improves the release of the dough from the molds and cutters, achieving well-shaped biscuits without any distorted edges.
Carboxy methyl cellulose can also help to reduce the amount of egg yolk or fat used in making the biscuits.
The use of Carboxy methyl cellulose in candy preparation ensures smooth dispersion in flavor oils and improves texture and quality.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in chewing gums, margarine, and peanut butter as an emulsifier.
Detergent uses
Carboxy methyl cellulose is a common ingredient in cleaning products because of its thickening and stabilizing properties and nontoxic composition.
In detergent and cleaning products, Carboxy methyl cellulose can be used to enhance texture and assist in the suspension of dirt and grime in the cleaning product.
Carboxy methyl cellulose's adjustable viscosity can be used to standardize the textures of the products, especially when used along with other chemicals.
Carboxy methyl cellulose helps with the removal of grease and aids in the creation of small bubbles in the soap.
Carboxy methyl cellulose, along with its ability to suspend dirt in mixtures, can make soaps and other cleaning products more efficient.
Textile uses
Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in textiles as a thickening agent in textile printing, constituting about 2-3% of printing pastes.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in fabric finishing to affect the fabric's texture.
Additionally, Carboxy methyl cellulose serves as a binding agent in non-woven fabrics, contributing to the strength and stability of the material.
In sizing applications, about 1-3% of CMC is used to protect yarns during weaving to reduce breakages.
Carboxy methyl cellulose aids in thickening printing pastes, which makes the prints themselves more precise.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used to thicken dyes.
Additionally, Carboxy methyl cellulose is an alternative to synthetic thickeners.
Cosmetics uses
Carboxy methyl cellulose is an ingredient used in over 50% of cosmetic products.
As a thickening agent, Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in formulations where viscosity needs to be precisely controlled.
In hair care, about 25% of shampoos and conditioners utilize CMC for its conditioning and detangling effects.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in the makeup and toothpaste industries to control the products' texture.
Due to its ability to retain moisture, it is also used in skincare products.
Carboxy methyl cellulose serves as a film-forming agent in approximately 10% of sunscreens.
Carboxy methyl cellulose aids in pigment suspension and dispersion, binding other ingredients for even distribution.
Carboxy methyl cellulose, when combined with Fatty Acid Ethanolamine or 2,2'-Iminodiethanol in a hair product, can form a thin film around the hair.
Oil Drilling
As a thickening agent, Carboxy methyl cellulose can increase the viscosity of drilling fluids and form a network structure in the mud, thereby enhancing their suspension capacity.
Carboxy methyl cellulose can effectively protect the wellbore and manage the penetration and loss of moisture in the drilling fluid.
Ultra-high viscosity Carboxy methyl cellulose can be used in fracturing fluids, primarily to carry fillers into oil wells.
Medical applications
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in numerous medical applications.
Some examples include:
Device for epistaxis (nose bleeding).
A poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) balloon is covered by Carboxy methyl cellulose knitted fabric reinforced by nylon.
The device is soaked in water to form a gel, which is inserted into the nose of the patient and inflated.
The combination of the inflated balloon and the therapeutic effect of the CMC stops the bleeding.
Hydrofiber fabric used as a medical dressing following ear, nose, and throat surgical procedures.
Water is added to form a gel, and this gel is inserted into the sinus cavity following surgery.
In ophthalmology, Carboxy methyl cellulose is used as a lubricating agent in artificial tears solutions for the treatment of dry eyes.
In veterinary medicine, Carboxy methyl cellulose is used in abdominal surgeries in large animals, particularly horses, to prevent the formation of bowel adhesions.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Carboxy methyl cellulose is the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, an anionic derivative.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, primarily for its viscosity-increasing properties.
Viscous aqueous solutions are used to suspend powders intended for either topical application or oral and parenteral administration.
Carboxy methyl cellulose sodium may also be used as a tablet binder and disintegrant, and to stabilize emulsions.
Higher concentrations, usually 3–6%, of the medium-viscosity grade are used to produce gels that can be used as the base for applications and pastes; glycols are often included in such gels to prevent them drying out.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in self-adhesive ostomy, wound care, and dermatological patches as a muco-adhesive and to absorb wound exudate or transepidermal water and sweat.
This muco-adhesive property is used in products designed to prevent post-surgical tissue adhesions; and to localize and modify the release kinetics of active ingredients applied to mucous membranes; and for bone repair.
Encapsulation with Carboxy methyl cellulose can affect drug protection and delivery.
There have also been reports of its use as a cyto-protective agent.
Carboxy methyl cellulose is also used in cosmetics, toiletries, surgical prosthetics, and incontinence, personal hygiene, and food products.
Synthesis
Carboxy methyl cellulose is formed when cellulose reacts with mono chloroacetic acid or its sodium salt under alkaline condition with presence of organic solvent, hydroxyl groups substituted by Sodium carboxymethyl groups in C2, C3 and C6 of glucose, which substitution slightly prevails at C2 position.
Generally, there are two steps in manufacturing process of Carboxy methyl cellulose, alkalinization and etherification.
Step 1: Alkalinization
Disperse the raw material cellulose pulp in alkali solution (generally sodium hydroxide, 5–50%) to obtain alkali cellulose.
Cell-OH+NaOH →Cell·O-Na+ +H2O
Step 2: Etherification
Etherification of alkali cellulose with sodium monochloroacetate (up to 30%) in an alcohol-water medium.
The mixture of alkali cellulose and reagent is heated (50–75°C) and stirred during the process.
ClCH2COOH+NaOH→ClCH2COONa+H2O
Cell·O-Na+ +ClCH2COO- →Cell-OCH2COO-Na
The DS of the sodium CMC can be controlled by the reaction conditions and use of organic solvents (such as isopropanol).
Production Methods
Alkali cellulose is prepared by steeping cellulose obtained from wood pulp or cotton fibers in sodium hydroxide solution.
The alkaline cellulose is then reacted with sodium monochloroacetate to produce carboxymethylcellulose sodium.
Sodium chloride and sodium glycolate are obtained as by-products of this etherification.
Preparation
Carboxy methyl cellulose is synthesized by the alkali-catalyzed reaction of cellulose with chloroacetic acid.
The polar (organic acid) carboxyl groups render the cellulose soluble and chemically reactive.
Fabrics made of cellulose – e.g., cotton or viscose (rayon) – may also be converted into CMC.
Following the initial reaction, the resultant mixture produces approximately 60% CMC and 40% salts (sodium chloride and sodium glycolate).
This product, called technical Carboxy methyl cellulose, is used in detergents, where it is used as a thickening agent.
An additional purification process is used to remove salts to produce pure Carboxy methyl cellulose, which is used for food and pharmaceutical applications.
An intermediate 'semi-purified' grade is also produced, which is typically used in paper applications such as the restoration of archival documents.
