Through the use of ethylene oxide etherification and alkalization, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a non-ionic cellulose single ether, is created from cotton . It is widely utilised in the domains of coatings, petroleum, construction, everyday chemicals, polymer polymerisation, and the textile industry due to its non-ionic properties of not acting with positive and negative ions and good compatibility.
Function：
1. Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is soluble in hot or cold water, and does not precipitate at high temperature or boiling, making it have a wide range of solubility and viscosity characteristics;
2. Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is non-ionic and can coexist with a wide range of other water-soluble polymers, surfactants, and salts.
3. The water retention capacity is twice as high as that of methyl cellulose, and it has better flow regulation;
4. Compared with the recognized methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, the dispersing ability of HEC is the worst, but the protective colloid ability is the strongest.