Carboxyméthylcellulose sodium salt

Soluble carboxymethylcelluloses (CM-cellulose; CMC) available in varying viscosities are used as viscosity modifiers (thickeners) to stabilize emulsions and as a chemical dispersants of oils and other carbon structures such as nanotubes. CMCs are used in the development of biostructures such as biofilms, emulsions and nanoparticles for drug delivery. Carboxymethylcellulose, low viscosity, may be used to make solutions the consistency of "thin" aqueous solutions.

This product is a low viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC); the viscosity of a 4% solution in water at 25 ^oC is 50-200 centipoise (cps). The viscosity is both concentration and temperature dependent. As the temperature increases, the viscosity decreases. As the concentration increases, the viscosity increases. Low, medium and high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are all used as suspending agents. Low viscosity CMC is usually used in "thin" aqueous solutions. Medium viscosity CMC is used to make solutions that look like a syrup. High viscosity CMC is used to make a mixture, which resembles a cream or lotion.

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The product is soluble in water (40 mg/mL).The key to dissolving carboxymethylcellulose is to add the solid carefully to the water so that it is well dispersed (well-wetted). Adding the solid in portions may be necessary. Adding water to the dry solid produces a "clump" of solid that is very difficult to dissolve; the solid must be added to the water. Stir gently or shake intermittently; do not stir constantly with a magnetic stirring bar. High heat is not needed and may actually slow down the solubilization process. A mixing device, such as an impeller-type agitator which produces a vortex, would allow the powder to be drawn into the liquid, but it may produce some shearing.

Under normal conditions, the effect of temperature on solutions of this product is reversible, so slight temperature variation has no permanent effect on viscosity. However, long periods of heating CMC solutions at high temperatures (autoclaving) will degrade the product and permanently reduce viscosity. CMC is therefore very difficult to sterilize. γ-Irradiation, like heating, will degrade CMC. High viscosity CMC is more adversely affected by autoclaving and irradiation than is low viscosity CMC. Filtering CMC solutions tends to leave a gel behind because the material is fibrous, so solutions cannot be sterile filtered.