A Review of the Characteristics and Applications of Ethyl Cellulose

Cellulose is the main constituent of most plants. The renewability of this material has made it a natural raw material which is abundantly available and there is no need to worry about running out of its resources. However, the industrial application of cellulose as a thermoplastic polymer is associated with some problems and difficulties. Due to the presence of strong hydrogen bonds between its chains, cellulose is destroyed before melting. In order to eliminate such difficulties, researchers have developed celluloses derivatives. Ethyl cellulose is one of the most widely used polymers derived from cellulose. Today, cellulose derivative polymers, such as ethyl cellulose in particular, are widely used in numerous industries like ceramic manufacturing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, paint, paper, food, textile, various molding parts and printing ink. Renewability, biocompatibility, and in some cases the biodegradability of this polymer along with its high tensile strength and appropriate toughness, make this polymer play a prominent role in polymer science and technology in the future. In this article, along with the introduction of ethyl cellulose, its various properties and characteristics, the different applications of this polymer's mixtures have also been reviewed.