Best Selling Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CAS NO (9004-32-4) in bulk

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), known by its CAS number 9004-32-4, is a water-soluble derivative of cellulose that finds extensive use in various industries for its versatile properties as a thickening agent, stabilizer, binder, and emulsifier. It is synthesized through the chemical modification of cellulose, where carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COONa) are introduced onto the cellulose backbone, rendering it water-soluble and enhancing its functionality.

1. Chemical Modification: Introduction of Sodium Carboxymethyl Groups Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is produced by treating cellulose with sodium hydroxide and chloroacetic acid, resulting in the substitution of hydroxyl groups (-OH) on the cellulose chain with carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COONa). This modification imparts water solubility and improved functionality to the cellulose polymer.

2. Water Solubility: Enhanced Solubility in Aqueous Solutions The incorporation of sodium carboxymethyl groups renders NaCMC highly water-soluble, allowing it to disperse readily in aqueous media and form clear and viscous solutions. This solubility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and textiles.

3. Thickening Agent: Increasing Viscosity and Texture Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose functions as a highly efficient thickening agent in aqueous solutions, imparting viscosity and texture to a variety of products, including sauces, dressings, soups, beverages, and cosmetics. Its ability to form stable and pseudoplastic gels enhances the sensory properties and shelf-life of these formulations.

4. Stabilizer and Emulsifier: Improving Stability and Homogeneity In addition to its thickening properties, NaCMC acts as a stabilizer and emulsifier in food and personal care products, helping to prevent phase separation, sedimentation, and creaming. Its ability to form colloidal dispersions and stabilize emulsions enhances the appearance, texture, and shelf-stability of various formulations.

5. Food Industry Applications: Versatile Food Additive Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is widely used as a multifunctional additive in the food industry, where it contributes to the texture, mouthfeel, and stability of a wide range of food products. It is commonly employed in baked goods, dairy products, sauces, desserts, and beverages, as well as in meat and poultry processing, to improve quality and processing efficiency.

6. Pharmaceutical Formulations: Excipient and Binder In pharmaceutical formulations, NaCMC serves as an excipient and binder in tablet formulations, facilitating drug delivery, disintegration, and dissolution. Its ability to swell and form gel-like matrices upon hydration helps control drug release and improve patient compliance.

7. Personal Care Products: Enhancing Formulation Performance Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is extensively used in personal care and cosmetic products, where it functions as a thickener, stabilizer, and film-forming agent. It imparts desirable rheological properties to lotions, creams, gels, toothpaste, and hair care products, enhancing their viscosity, spreadability, and sensory attributes.

8. Textile Industry: Sizing and Printing Applications In the textile industry, NaCMC is employed as a sizing agent and thickener in fabric finishing processes. It enhances the strength, stiffness, and printability of textiles, improving their resistance to abrasion and enhancing the quality of printed designs.

9. Oil and Gas Drilling: Viscosifier and Fluid Control Agent Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is utilized in the oil and gas drilling industry as a viscosifier and fluid loss control agent in drilling fluids. Its ability to increase viscosity, suspend solids, and control fluid loss helps maintain wellbore stability and improve drilling efficiency in challenging geological formations.

10. Regulatory Compliance and Safety: GRAS Status and Quality Standards Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food and pharmaceutical applications by regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Adherence to established usage levels, purity criteria, and labeling regulations ensures the safety and quality of NaCMC-containing products in the market.