What is Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) LV?

 Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) is a polymer compound obtained by chemical modification of natural cellulose. Its basic structure is that some hydroxyl groups (-OH) on the cellulose molecular skeleton are replaced by carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COOH) to form carboxymethyl cellulose. CMC has good solubility, thickening, gelling and stability in water, so it is widely used in many industries, such as food, cosmetics, medicine, textiles, papermaking and other fields.

Definition of LV CMC

Among the different types of CMC LV refers to a low viscosity grade of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Compared with high viscosity (HV) CMC, LV has a shorter molecular chain and a lower solution viscosity. Specifically, the viscosity is usually related to the molecular weight. LV CMC has a lower molecular weight and is usually used in applications that require lower viscosity and fast dissolution.

Properties of LV CMC

Solubility

CMC LV has good solubility in water and can usually dissolve quickly in water at room temperature to form a uniform solution after dissolution. Its solubility is not greatly affected by the hardness and temperature of water, so it is very suitable for most industrial applications.

Viscosity characteristics

The biggest feature of LV CMC is its low viscosity, which makes it very valuable in some specific applications. For example, it is often used in systems that require lower viscosity, such as coatings, detergents, etc.

Thickening effect

Although the viscosity is low, CMC LV can still form a certain thickening effect in water, which makes it widely used in some liquid formulations that require medium viscosity. Its thickening effect is achieved by changing the interaction between the molecular structure and water molecules.

Stability

CMC LV has good chemical and thermal stability and is not easy to decompose or degrade, which makes it stable under different temperature and pH environments. When used in food and medicine, it can also ensure that it does not change for a long time.

Surface activity

LV CMC has a certain surface activity, which can be used to improve the rheological properties of liquid formulations, improve surface tension, and increase lubricity. This property is particularly prominent in coatings and inks.

Application areas of CMC LV

Food industry

In the food industry, CMC LV is mainly used in food thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and other products. It can enhance the texture and taste of food, and also help improve the shelf life of food. Common applications include the production of ice cream, juice, beverages, candy, etc.

Pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, CMC LV is used as an excipient for drugs, especially in tablets, capsules and suspensions, which can improve the stability and solubility of drugs. In addition, CMC LV is also used to prepare sustained-release systems for drugs.

Cosmetic industry

CMC LV can be used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in cosmetics to improve the texture and use experience of the product. Common applications include skin creams, facial cleansers, toothpastes, etc.

Papermaking industry

CMC LV is often used as a coating material for paper in the papermaking process, which can improve the surface smoothness and printing quality of paper. At the same time, it can also enhance the strength and water resistance of paper.

Textile Industry

In the textile industry, CMC LV is used as an auxiliary agent for dyes, helping dyes to better adhere to the fiber surface and improving the rheology during the dyeing process.

Oilfield Industry

CMC LV is also used in oilfield exploitation as a mud additive, which can adjust the viscosity and rheological properties of drilling fluids to ensure the smooth progress of drilling work.

Cleaning Agent

As a thickener and lubricant in cleaning agents, CMC LV can improve the cleaning effect and increase the stability of the product.

Production Process

The production process of CMC LV mainly includes the following steps:

Cellulose Processing

Cellulose raw materials are usually derived from wood pulp, cotton or other plant fibers. The raw materials are first treated to remove impurities and lignin so that cellulose can react better.

Carboxymethylation Reaction

The hydroxyl groups on the cellulose molecules are converted into carboxymethyl groups by using chloroacetic acid (or its sodium salt) for esterification under alkaline conditions. In the reaction, chloroacetic acid reacts with cellulose to produce carboxymethyl cellulose.

Neutralization and drying

The product after the reaction needs to be neutralized with acid to remove excess chloroacetic acid, and then dehydrated and dried to obtain the final CMC product. According to the required viscosity grade, the reaction time, temperature and the ratio of reactants are controlled to obtain CMC of different viscosity grades.

As a low-viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC LV has become an indispensable raw material in many industrial fields due to its excellent water solubility, thickening, chemical stability and surface activity. Its application is not limited to the food and pharmaceutical industries, but also widely involved in cosmetics, papermaking, textiles, oil fields and other industries. With the advancement of technology and changes in market demand, the application areas and functions of CMC LV will continue to expand, becoming an important basic material in more industries.