Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CAS#9004-32-4
Excellent Water Solubility: Fully water-soluble polymer that forms stable aqueous solutions, enabling easy processing and formulation.
Thixotropic Performance: Exhibits thixotropic behavior in water, providing effective suspension capability and helping maintain uniform dispersion of solid components.
Highly Efficient Binding Ability: Acts as a strong binder even at low dosage levels, minimizing interference with formulation performance while maintaining structural integrity.
Stable & Controlled Chemical Structure: Produced through carboxymethyl modification of cellulose and neutralized to its sodium salt form, ensuring consistent quality and reliable functional performance.
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CAS#9004-32-4)
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble polymer that forms thixotropic solutions when dissolved in water. This property makes it effective for maintaining the uniform suspension of components in aqueous systems, such as in pyrotechnic formulations (e.g., black match production).
It also serves as a highly efficient binder, requiring only small amounts to achieve strong binding performance, which is especially beneficial in formulations where excessive binder content may interfere with the desired effect (such as in strobe compositions). However, due to its sodium content, it is generally unsuitable for most color compositions.
CMC is produced by chemically modifying cellulose through processes that substitute some hydrogen atoms in the hydroxyl (–OH) groups of the cellulose molecule with carboxymethyl (–CH₂COOH) groups, which are then neutralized to form the sodium salt.
In its pure form, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose appears white, while industrial-grade products are typically grayish-white or cream-colored granules or powder.
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 274 °C (dec.) |
| Density | 1,6 g/cm3 |
| Refractive index | 1.515 |
| FEMA | 2239 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE |
| 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 | pH (10g/l, 25℃) 6.0～8.0 |
| PH Range | 6.5 - 8.5 |
| Biological source | wood (pulp) |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Merck | 141829 |
| 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 |
| SMILES | [Na].OC(C(O)C(O)C=O)C(O)CO.OC(=O)C |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (9004-32-4) |
Safety Information
| Risk Statements | 40 |
| Safety Statements | 24/25 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | FJ5950000 |
| F | 3 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 698 °F |
| TSCA | TSCA listed |
| HS Code | 39123100 |
| Storage Class | 11 - Combustible Solids |
| Toxicity | LD50 oral in rabbit: > 27gm/kg |
Product Application of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CAS#9004-32-4)
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) is the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose and an anionic derivative. It is extensively used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, mainly due to its viscosity-enhancing properties. Its viscous aqueous solutions are commonly employed to suspend powders for topical, oral, and parenteral applications.
NaCMC can also function as a tablet binder and disintegrant, as well as an emulsion stabilizer. Medium-viscosity grades at concentrations of approximately 3–6% are typically used to prepare gels for ointments and pastes. Glycols are often incorporated into these gel systems to reduce moisture loss and prevent drying.
In addition, NaCMC is widely utilized in self-adhesive ostomy products, wound care materials, and dermatological patches. Its muco-adhesive characteristics enable absorption of wound exudate, transepidermal water, and perspiration. This property also supports applications aimed at preventing post-surgical tissue adhesions, controlling and modifying the release rate of active ingredients on mucosal surfaces, and assisting in bone repair. Encapsulation with NaCMC can enhance drug protection and delivery, and it has also been reported to provide cytoprotective effects.
Beyond pharmaceutical uses, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is applied in cosmetics, personal care and hygiene products, surgical prosthetics, incontinence supplies, and food products.
