Understanding Hydrophilic Polymers in Aqueous Systems: Hydration Mechanisms, Structural Knobs, and Task-Oriented Selection Guide (Including Tables 1–3)
Understanding Hydrophilic Polymers in Aqueous Systems: Hydration Mechanisms, Structural Knobs, and Task-Oriented Selection Guide (Including Tables 1–3)
I. Key Variables and Core Concepts in Aqueous Systems
1.1 Why hydrophilic polymers are a key variable in aqueous systems: triple roles across solution–interface–network
Aqueous systems run through both research and industry: waterborne formulations (coatings/adhesives/personal care), biomedical materials (dressings/drug delivery/tissue engineering), separation and water-treatment membranes, and electrolytes/ion-conducting materials, among others. Water is “widely used yet hard to use well” because its strong polarity and hydrogen-bond network amplify solvation and interfacial effects—wetting, dispersion/flocculation, thickening and rheology, film formation/drying, swelling and permeation, and nonspecific adsorption of contaminants/proteins. These effects are highly sensitive to ionic strength, pH, temperature, and shear rate/shear history, and they often determine system stability and reproducibility.
The value of hydrophilic polymers is not merely “being soluble in water,” but rather making the key variables above designable and verifiable:
1. In solution: by chain conformation, molecular weight, and functional-group interactions, they regulate viscosity/rheology and colloidal stability (dispersion, suspension, anti-settling/anti-flocculation, etc.).
2. At solid surfaces/coatings: they build stable wetting and hydrated interfaces; with appropriate segments and surface conformations (forming a stable hydration layer/brush), they can reduce nonspecific adsorption and improve anti-fouling/biocompatibility performance.
3. In network materials: they form shape-stable hydrogels with three-dimensional networks (typically via chemical crosslinking or sufficiently strong physical association), enabling a platform of “high water content + tunable mechanics/mass transport,” which underpins many biomedical and soft-matter applications.
1.2 Key terminology
Term | IUPAC core definition | How to understand it |
Polymer | A substance composed of macromolecules | A materials-level term: a substance made of many large molecules |
Macromolecule | A molecule of high relative molecular mass, whose structure essentially comprises the multiple repetition of units derived from molecules of low relative molecular mass | A molecular-level term: a long chain with many repeating units |
Hydrophilic | The ability to interact with polar solvents (especially water) | “Water likes it”: it can form stable water–material interactions |
Hydrophilicity | The tendency of a molecule to be solvated by water | The essence of “how hydrophilic”: whether water is willing to “wrap/solvate” it |
Hydrogel | A gel in which water is the swelling agent; the network is typically a polymer network | A 3D network material that “swells with water but does not dissolve” |
1.3 Hydrophilic polymers and their aqueous manifestations (hydrophilic / water-soluble / hydrogel)
Hydrophilic polymers are polymeric materials with pronounced hydrophilicity (readily solvated by water and/or capable of forming a hydration layer). Depending on structure and conditions, they may behave as water-soluble (forming solutions/stable dispersions), or as water-swelling but not dissolving (e.g., forming hydrogels, or remaining as hydrophilic yet water-insoluble solids/networks).
Term (level) | Question it answers | Core criterion | Typical phenomena | Most common misconception |
Hydrophilic polymer (materials class) | “How does this class of materials interact with water overall?” | Polymer segments/surfaces are hydrophilic and readily solvated / form hydration layers | Easy wetting, easy water uptake; can be water-soluble or insoluble yet strongly water-absorbing | Treating it as synonymous with “water-soluble polymer” |
Hydrophilic (property) | “Does it like water?” | Strong interaction with water and other polar solvents | Lower contact angle; readily forms hydration layers / absorbs water | Hydrophilic ⇒ necessarily water-soluble |
Water-soluble (behavior; condition-dependent) | “Under these conditions, can it truly dissolve?” | Dissolution/solubility depends strongly on temperature, salinity, pH, molecular weight, etc. | Clear solution or stable dispersion; measurable viscosity/rheology | Assuming “soluble under one condition” means “soluble forever” |
Hydrogel (form: network material) | “Is there a network that locks the chains?” | A 3D network exists: swells with water but does not dissolve as a whole | Swelling, shape retention, some mechanical strength | Thinking “high water content = hydrogel” |
II. Where hydrophilicity comes from: hydration mechanisms and structural knobs (root causes that determine dissolution / swelling / gelation)
2.1 Three hydration mechanisms → material “personality” → typical behaviors
Hydration mechanism (root cause) | Common hydrophilic groups/features | “Personality” keywords | Most common behaviors | Typical risk points |
H-bond/dipolar hydration (non-ionic hydrophilicity) | –OH, –O–, –CONH–, lactams, etc. | Mild, compatible, formulation-friendly | Easy wetting; may be water-soluble or strongly water-absorbing; viscosity rises markedly with molecular weight | Crystallization/strong association can lead to “hydrophilic but insoluble”; temperature/co-solvent may trigger solubility changes |
Ionic hydration (polyelectrolytes) | Fixed charges such as –COO⁻, –SO₃⁻, –NR₃⁺ | Strong water uptake, strong thickening, environment-sensitive | pH/salinity changes strongly affect viscosity, swelling, and stability | Salt screening reduces viscosity/swelling; oppositely charged components can destabilize blends (flocculation/phase separation) |
Superhydration / zwitterionic hydration (thick hydration layers) | Zwitterionic groups such as betaines, phosphorylcholines | Stable hydration layers, high anti-fouling potential | Advantages in resisting nonspecific adsorption at surfaces; strong wet-state performance | More “materials engineering” in synthesis/cost/process windows; formulation compatibility must be verified |
Note: This classification is by dominant mechanism; real materials often combine mechanisms, and solubility/hydration layers are jointly reshaped by salts, temperature, co-solvents, and microstructure.
2.2 Structural-knob table: common variables that control dissolution/swelling/gelation and formulation windows
Knob (what you can tune) | What it mainly affects | How to think about it | Minimum validation |
Type and density of hydrophilic groups | Hydrophilicity strength, hydration layer, solubility | “More hydrophilic groups is not always better—the key is matching hydration with the chain’s ability to expand/uncoil” | (1) Interface/coatings: contact angle (preferably advancing/receding hysteresis) + re-test after soaking/scrubbing (2) Solutions/formulations: dissolution/cloud point (or time-dependent transmittance/turbidity) + viscosity/rheology |
Charged or not + charge density | Salt/pH sensitivity, thickening and swelling | “Charge = strong hydration, but also more vulnerable to salt screening and charge–charge interactions in blends” | Viscosity and swelling changes under pH/salt scans |
Molecular weight and distribution | Viscosity, film formation, diffusion, batch-to-batch variability | “Higher MW increases viscosity and network tendency; broader distribution increases reproducibility risk” | Rheology curves; batch comparison |
Chain architecture (linear/branched/brush-like) | Dispersion stability, adsorption, solution structure | “Brush/side chains can ‘spread out’ more effectively into hydration layers, but depend more on synthesis and purity” | Size stability/ζ; adsorption and anti-fouling metrics |
Crystallinity / strength of interchain association | Whether it dissolves, and how fast it dissolves | “Crystallization/strong association ‘locks’ chains, leading to hydrophilic yet not water-soluble behavior” | Dissolution rate; turbidity; DSC / simple dissolution comparisons |
Crosslinking (presence/density) | Hydrogel formation, mechanics, mesh size | “Crosslinking converts a material from ‘solution’ to ‘network,’ setting swelling and strength” | Swelling ratio; compressive modulus; permeation/release curves |
Copolymerization and microphase separation | Membrane/coating/electrolyte functions | “Microstructure defines channels and backbone: ion conduction needs channels; swelling resistance needs a scaffold” | Coupled evaluation of dimensional stability + conductivity/flux/permeation |
III. Families and forms of hydrophilic polymers at a glance
3.1 Classification by polymer family: non-ionic / polyelectrolyte / zwitterionic
Family | Features | Common roles | Notes / cautions |
Non-ionic hydrophilic polymers | No fixed charges; often contain polar groups such as –OH/ethers/amides (e.g., PEG/PVA/PVP/cellulose ethers) | Thickening/rheology, protective colloids, film formation/wetting | Watch dissolution process and temperature–salt windows; some systems can be “hydrophilic but not water-soluble” |
Polyelectrolytes (anionic/cationic) | Fixed charges (–COO⁻/–SO₃⁻/quaternary ammonium, etc.); more sensitive to salt/pH (e.g., polyacrylates, sulfonates, quaternary ammonium polymers) | Strong thickening, dispersion stability, ion exchange/ion channels | Changes in salinity/pH often strongly affect viscosity, swelling, and blend stability |
Zwitterionic / “strongly hydrated interface” materials | Contain both positive and negative charges (betaines/phosphorylcholines, etc.); often used as interfacial layers | Anti-fouling coatings, resistance to nonspecific adsorption, stable biointerfaces | Validate in real media (salts/proteins/complex formulations); don’t judge only by pure-water behavior |
Natural hydrophilic polymers and derivatives | Natural sources such as polysaccharides/proteins; often rich in –OH/–COO⁻; batch and purity variations are more common | Thickening, film formation, gel matrices, biocompatible systems | Batch variability, impurities/salts/bioburden require tighter control (especially in biomedical contexts) |
3.2 Quick-reference by final form: do you ultimately use a solution, a gel, or a surface layer?
Final form | Criterion | Typical uses | What to confirm first |
Water-soluble polymer solution (true dissolution) | Forms a clear solution under the target formulation conditions; no precipitate/flocs on standing; remains uniform after dilution | Aqueous thickening and rheology control; waterborne film-forming precursors; “protective colloids” for stabilizing some systems | (1) Clarity + stability on standing; (2) whether viscosity/rheology meets the target window |
Stable dispersion system (colloidal dispersion; not necessarily molecularly dissolved) | Looks uniform but consists of particles/aggregates stabilized in dispersion; standing/centrifugation/salt addition may change particle size or induce flocculation | Dispersion/stabilization of particles/pigments/nanomaterials; stabilizing aqueous slurries; reducing settling and agglomeration | (1) Time-dependent particle size stability; (2) stability after perturbations (salt addition/centrifugation/thermal cycling) |
Physical gel / reversible network (no chemical crosslinker needed) | Gelation/yielding/thixotropy occurs without crosslinker: stands at rest, shear-thins under shear, partially recovers structure after shear stops (reversible) | Thixotropic thickening; anti-settling suspensions; recoverable-structure systems; prototypical injectable/self-healing systems (depending on formulation) | (1) Clear yield/thixotropy and recoverability; (2) network retention under temperature/salinity changes |
Chemically crosslinked hydrogel (network material; swells but does not dissolve) | A crosslinked network “locks” chains: swells upon soaking but does not dissolve into solution and does not visibly leach/disintegrate | Wound dressings; controlled/slow-release carriers; tissue-engineering scaffolds; adsorption/separation carriers; hydrogel sensors | (1) Integrity after soaking (leaching/disintegration is a red flag); (2) swelling ratio and mechanics within the target range |
Superabsorbent network (SAP-type) | Very high water uptake; forms high-water-content gels/particles; water uptake typically drops markedly in saline/electrolyte media | Water retention/locking; slow-release water retention (hygiene/agriculture/packaging); liquid immobilization/leak prevention | (1) Difference between pure-water vs saline absorption; (2) load-bearing rewet/backflow and stability after absorption |
Hydrophilic surface layer / coating / grafted layer (interfacial engineering) | Goal is to change surface behavior rather than dissolve the bulk: improved wetting/anti-fouling while the substrate may remain insoluble or not strongly water-absorbing | Wetting modification (better spreading/less fogging); anti-fouling/anti-protein adsorption; improved microfluidic, membrane, and device interfaces | (1) Whether wetting truly improves (preferably with hysteresis/durability); (2) whether anti-adsorption/soak resistance holds in the target medium |
Note: A clear appearance does not necessarily mean “true molecular-level dissolution.” When needed, verify by filtration, light scattering/particle sizing, or time-dependent transmittance.
IV. Choosing Hydrophilic Polymers by Task: Problem → Pathway → Minimum Validation
Scenario / Task | Where this scenario most often fails (make-or-break factor) | First two steps to do |
Need to make an aqueous system “thicker / with controllable flow”: stable in storage (no phase separation) yet smooth during application/pumping (rheology window) | Viscosity collapses due to salt/pH changes; incomplete dissolution leads to “false failure / false incompatibility” | ① Prepare samples at the target salinity/pH and ensure complete dissolution; ② Run 24–72 h standing stability + simple shear-viscosity comparison |
Need to disperse particles/nanomaterials/pigments and keep them from aggregating long-term: no flocculation or hard settling even after a week | No real adsorption / poor salt tolerance → flocculation upon salt addition; difficult re-dispersion after settling | ① Perform “time + perturbation” tests (choose 2 from standing/centrifugation/salt addition/thermal cycling); ② Track particle size, or at minimum record whether flocculation/sedimentation is reversible |
Need waterborne film formation/coatings with easier spreading, better adhesion, and no whitening or tackiness after soaking (wetting × water resistance) | Hydrophilicity improves but water resistance drops (whitening/tackiness); surface layer is not durable | ① Compare appearance and water uptake before/after soaking (most direct); ② Do one durability check (e.g., whether wetting remains after scrubbing or soaking) |
Need a hydrogel that “absorbs water but does not dissolve”: stable gelation, controllable swelling, and mechanics within target range (controlled release/dressings/scaffolds) | Appears gelled but falls apart/leaches upon soaking; swelling/mechanics drift between batches | ① Start with soak–leach testing (mass loss? disintegration?); ② Then measure swelling ratio + simple mechanics (whether they fall in the target range) |
Need a surface that “doesn’t stick” even in real media (salt/protein/serum): anti-protein/anti-cell nonspecific adsorption with durability | Looks good in pure water but fails in serum; coating sheds/has defects causing localized adhesion | ① Do adsorption comparison in real media (choose protein or cells); ② Re-test after soaking/cleaning to check durability/retention |
V. Product Navigation Table | Hydrophilic Polymers: Locate Tables 1–3 by “Research Task / Experimental Need”
Research situation / experimental need (typical scenario) | Which table to check first | Why start there | Representative products |
Natural polysaccharide / bio-based hydrogels: mild gelation, encapsulation, microspheres/dressings, 3D culture matrices | Table 1 | Natural/bio-derived polysaccharides and media/gel matrices | Table 1 concentrates the main “directly gellable / bio-matrix-like” workhorses: alginates, carrageenan, pectin, gelatin, etc., plus matrices and GAGs directly relevant to cells/culture |
ECM / GAG-related work: tissue engineering, hydrogel carriers, biointeraction studies | Table 1 | Natural/bio-derived polysaccharides and media/gel matrices | Table 1 includes hydrophilic polymers with a clear biological context: HA/CS/heparin types, DSS, etc.—useful for ECM mimicry, protein/growth-factor interactions, and biomaterial systems |
Microbial/yeast culture and solid matrices: media preparation, screening, need a solidified substrate | Table 1 | Natural/bio-derived polysaccharides and media/gel matrices | Table 1 contains “solid culture medium/gel matrix” items used directly in culture systems, enabling quick access to consumable-type hydrophilic gels |
Electrophoresis / bioseparation gels or immobilized separation experiments | Table 1 | Natural/bio-derived polysaccharides and media/gel matrices | Separation gels are “matrix materials,” not ordinary thickeners; Table 1 has dedicated gel-separation matrix entries |
Waterborne formulation thickening / suspension stability / coating rheology (personal care/coatings/aqueous systems), and you want to prioritize the “cellulose family” | Table 2 | Cellulose ethers and cellulose derivatives | Table 2 gathers the most common, robust, and broadly compatible cellulose ethers in one place—often the “first drawer” for thickening, film formation, and suspension stability in aqueous systems |
Pharmaceutical excipients / coating / controlled-release matrices: need film formation and gel-layer behavior (tablets/coatings/release studies) | Table 2 | Cellulose ethers and cellulose derivatives | In pharma, cellulose ethers are the most common “reproducible route”; Table 2 includes classic materials for controlled release/coatings/binding—directly mapping to formulation scenarios |
Bio experiments needing low endotoxin / animal-origin-free thickening or culture-system support | Table 2 | Cellulose ethers and cellulose derivatives | Table 2 contains cellulose ether items explicitly oriented to “cell culture / low endotoxin / animal-origin-free,” suitable for viscosity and suspension control in biological media |
Film-forming/binding/substrate materials from synthetic neutral polymers: coating, encapsulation, thin films, spinning | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | Table 3 concentrates neutral workhorses such as PVA/PEO/PVP—suited for films, binders, spinning, and general hydrophilic substrates |
Solubilization of poorly soluble compounds / mild-system solubilization (protein/cell systems, carrier dissolution) or thermoresponsive carrier gels | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | Solubilization and micellization/thermoresponsive behavior fall under “surface-active polymers”; Table 3 includes a typical P407 entry that directly matches these needs |
Crosslinkable hydrogels / photo-curable hydrophilic networks: microgels, surface grafting, tissue-engineering carriers | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | Crosslinkable precursors and general thickeners are two distinct routes; Table 3’s PEGDA is a classic “polymerizable hydrophilic precursor” entry point |
Hydrophilic spacers / PEGylation modification / hydrophilic brush layers (materials modification, coupling-precursor route) | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | This need is not “thickening,” but “modification and building hydration layers”; Table 3’s mPEG monomethyl ether is one of the most common base modules |
Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly / surface charge modification / polyelectrolyte complexes | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | LbL and charge modification require paired strong cationic/anionic polyelectrolytes; Table 3 consolidates commonly used cation/anion pairs |
Dispersion/chelation/antiscalant/water-treatment stabilization (engineering-style aqueous additives) | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | This is closer to “polymeric additives/dispersants,” typically starting from PAA/PAAS; Table 3 centralizes such entries for quick location |
Nucleic-acid delivery/transfection/cationic carriers or strong cationic flocculation | Table 3 | Synthetic polymers/polyelectrolytes and functional PEG/surface-active polymers | A typical “cationic functional polymer” task; prioritize Table 3 for carrier-grade products |
Table 1 | Natural/Bio-Derived Polysaccharides and Media/Gel Matrices
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product features & applications (hydrophilic polymer–related) |
Natural polysaccharide | Alginate (ionically crosslinked gel) | 9005-38-3 | Sodium alginate, from brown algae | Medium viscosity | Brown-algae-derived sodium alginate; water-soluble thickener. Rapidly forms ionically crosslinked hydrogels with multivalent ions such as Ca²⁺. Commonly used for gel microspheres/encapsulation, wound dressings, and 3D culture/carrier gel systems. | |
Natural protein | Gelatin (thermoreversible gel) | 9000-70-8 | Gelatin | Photographic grade, gel strength ~250 g Bloom | Photographic-grade gelatin (~250 Bloom): thermoreversible gel with good protective-colloid and film-forming properties. Used in photographic/emulsion systems, colloid stabilization, encapsulation/microcapsules, and biomaterial matrices (when mild gelation and film formation are needed). | |
Natural polysaccharide | Carrageenan (sulfated colloid/gel) | 9000-07-1 | Carrageenan | Reagent grade | Sulfated polysaccharide colloid with thickening and ion-condition-dependent gelation. Used for formulation gels, stabilization, and model-system construction (e.g., stronger structured gels or polysaccharide interaction studies). | |
Natural polysaccharide | Pectin (acid/Ca gel) | 9000-69-5 | Pectin | Galacturonic acid (dry basis) ≥74.0% | Pectin (galacturonic acid ≥74%): strong thickening and gelation. Common in gel/jelly-type systems, encapsulation and controlled-release carriers, stabilization and water-retention formulations (widely used in food/pharma excipients and research). | |
Natural polysaccharide | Xanthan gum (high shear-thinning / USP) | 11138-66-2 | Xanthan gum | PharmPure™, USP | USP-grade xanthan: strong thickening at low dosage, pronounced shear-thinning, and good system stability. Widely used for rheology control, suspension stability, and mouthfeel/thixotropy design in pharma/food/personal-care formulations. | |
Natural polysaccharide | Plant gum (high-viscosity thickener) | 9000-30-0 | Guar gum | Viscosity: 5000–5500 cps, 200 mesh | Highly efficient natural thickener with clear shear-thinning; used for thickening, suspension stability, water retention, and improving system thixotropy (common in food/personal care/waterborne formulations). | |
Natural polysaccharide | Gum arabic (emulsification/stabilization) | 9000-01-5 | Gum arabic | Pharmaceutical grade, PharmPure™, Powder | Pharmaceutical-grade gum arabic: strong emulsion-stabilizing and encapsulation performance. Used for emulsion stabilization, spray-drying wall material, microencapsulation of flavors/actives, and stabilizing systems in topical formulations. | |
Natural polysaccharide | Dextran (inert hydrophilic matrix) | 9004-54-0 | Dextran | Premium grade | Neutral hydrophilic polysaccharide with good water solubility. Often used as an inert hydrophilic matrix in biological systems, as a model for macromolecular crowding, to stabilize nanoparticles/protein systems, and as a precursor route for subsequent crosslinking into gel carriers. | |
Microbial polysaccharide | Pullulan (film-forming/carrier) | 9057-02-7 | Pullulan | — | Water-soluble film-forming polysaccharide with notable film-forming and oxygen-barrier properties. Used for soluble/edible films, coatings and encapsulation carriers, stabilizers, and as a matrix for hydrophilic composites and nano-delivery systems. | |
Gel separation matrix | Agarose (electrophoresis/bioseparation) | 9012-36-6 | Agarose | Especially high EEO | High-EEO agarose: for electrophoresis/bioseparation gels; suitable for methods requiring specific electroendosmotic flow, and for preparing gel matrices for separation and immobilization experiments. | |
Culture-medium matrix | YE agar (solid medium) | 9002-18-0 | YE agar | Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe fission medium for nutritional growth | Solid culture medium system (YE agar) for fission yeast; provides a solidified matrix and nutritional conditions, suitable for colony culture, screening, and phenotypic observation. | |
Microbial polysaccharide | Cold-gelling matrix (cell culture) | 71010-52-1 | Gellan gum, for cell culture | — | Gel/solidification matrix material for cell culture; commonly used to prepare transparent gels or solid media, as an alternative or complement to agar/agarose for culture, screening, and gel-matrix studies. | |
Glycosaminoglycan | Hyaluronate (medical hydration/viscoelasticity) | 9067-32-7 | Sodium hyaluronate | Pharmaceutical grade | Pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate: high water retention and viscoelasticity. Used for moisturizing/lubrication, ophthalmic/joint-related studies, and as an ECM-relevant hydrophilic matrix in tissue engineering and hydrogel carriers. | |
Glycosaminoglycan | Hyaluronic acid (animal source/hydrogel) | 9004-61-9 | Hyaluronic acid | Moligand™, from rooster comb | Rooster-comb-derived hyaluronic acid: high water retention with pronounced viscoelasticity. Used for ECM mimicry and HA-based hydrogel/carrier research, building cell-compatible hydrophilic matrices, and moisturizing/lubrication experiments. | |
Glycosaminoglycan | Chondroitin sulfate (ECM/hydrogel) | 9082-07-9 | Chondroitin sulfate sodium salt | ≥95% | ECM-relevant sulfated GAG: commonly used in cartilage/connective-tissue biomaterials research, ECM-mimicking hydrogels, protein/growth-factor interaction studies, and cell microenvironment regulation systems. | |
Bioactive polysaccharide | Low-molecular-weight heparin (anticoagulation/surface modification) | 9041-08-1 | Dalteparin sodium | Moligand™, anti-Xa potency 110–210 IU/mg | Low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin sodium) with defined anti-Xa activity. Used in coagulation/anticoagulation studies, anticoagulant coatings and heparinization surface modifications, and protein/growth-factor binding studies. | |
Sulfated polysaccharide | DSS (biological models/strong polyanion) | 9011-18-1 | Dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) | MW 500,000; DNase/RNase/protease free | Strongly anionic sulfated polysaccharide. Commonly used in DSS-related biological model systems (e.g., DSS is widely used in colitis models), and also for studies of polysaccharide–protein/multivalent cation interactions and polyelectrolyte behavior. |
Table 2 | Cellulose Ethers and Cellulose Derivatives
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product features & applications (hydrophilic polymer–related) |
Cellulose ether | HPC (non-ionic thickening / film-forming) | 9004-64-2 | Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) | Viscosity 4000–6500 mPa·s, 2% aqueous solution at 20 °C | Non-ionic cellulose ether with strong thickening, film-forming, and suspension-stabilizing performance. Commonly used for rheology control in waterborne coatings/formulations, as a pharmaceutical excipient (binder/coating), and in systems requiring smooth feel and robust stability. | |
Cellulose ether | CMC-Na (anionic thickening / stabilization) | 9004-32-4 | Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) | Viscosity: 1000–1400 mPa·s, USP grade | USP-grade CMC-Na: an anionic thickener/stabilizer with good film-forming and suspension-stabilizing properties. Widely used as a pharmaceutical excipient, for stabilizing emulsions/suspensions, for coating film formation, and for rheology tuning in aqueous formulations. | |
Cellulose ether | MC (low endotoxin / thermoresponsive gel) | 9004-67-5 | M657438 | Methyl cellulose (MC) | Animal-origin-free, Low Endotoxin, for cell culture, 1500 mPa·s | Animal-origin-free, low-endotoxin methyl cellulose for thickening and suspension stabilization. Frequently used in cell-culture-related systems (e.g., cell suspension, colony formation) and in biological experiments requiring mild rheology control. |
Cellulose ether | HPMC (controlled release / film-forming / thickening) | 9004-65-3 | Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) | Substitution type 2910; viscosity: 400 mPa·s; methoxy: 28–30%; hydroxypropyl: 7.0–12% | HPMC (2910 type): a classic pharma/formulation film-former and thickener that can form a gel layer as a controlled-release matrix. Commonly used for tablets/coatings, suspension stabilization, controlled release, and rheology adjustment in aqueous systems. | |
Cellulose ether | HEC (non-ionic thickening / film-forming) | 9004-62-0 | 2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) | Average Mw ~380,000 | Non-ionic cellulose ether with good thickening, film-forming, and stabilizing performance. Commonly used for rheology control, suspension stabilization, and sensory/feel improvement in personal care/coatings/aqueous systems; also used as a hydrophilic backbone in hydrogels and blended systems. |
Table 3 | Synthetic Polymers / Polyelectrolytes and Functional PEG / Surface-Active Polymers
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product features & applications (hydrophilic polymer–related) |
Synthetic neutral polymer | PVA (film-forming / hydrogels) | 9002-89-5 | Mowiol® PVA-124 Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) | Viscosity: 54–66 mPa·s | A classic water-soluble film-former/binder polymer. Used for coating film formation, binder/coating applications, and stabilizing particles/emulsions; also commonly serves as a base material for freeze–thaw/crosslinked hydrogels and electrospinning systems. | |
Synthetic neutral polymer | PEO/PEG (thickening / electrospinning) | 25322-68-3 | Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) | Viscosity 65–115 cps | Highly hydrophilic polyether that provides thickening and lubrication in water. Often used as a “fiber-forming carrier polymer” in electrospinning, and for hydrophilic modification and rheology tuning in hydrogels/composite systems. | |
Synthetic neutral polymer | PVP (solubilization aid / stabilization) | 9003-39-8 | Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) | For plant cell culture, average mol wt 10,000 | Low-molecular-weight PVP (~10k) with strong solubilization and dispersion-stabilizing capability. Commonly used as an additive in plant cell culture, to solubilize poorly soluble compounds, inhibit crystallization, and stabilize nano/particle systems. | |
Non-ionic surface-active polymer | Poloxamer 407 (solubilization / thermoresponsive gel) | 9003-11-6 | K434429 | Kolliphor® P 407 | Ethylene oxide 71.5–74.9% | Poloxamer 407 (P407) forms micelles for solubilization and shows thermoresponsive gelation at certain concentrations. Used for solubilizing poorly soluble drugs, thermosensitive carrier gels, and mild solubilization/formulation stabilization in protein/cell systems. |
PEG derivative | mPEG (hydrophilic spacer / solubilization) | 9004-74-4 | Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) 750 (mPEG-750) | Average molecular weight 750 | mPEG-750: mono-end-capped PEG, commonly used as a hydrophilic spacer, solubilizing/lubricating component, and as a synthetic intermediate for PEGylation modification and building hydrophilic brush/coating layers. | |
Functional PEG | PEGDA (crosslinkable hydrogel precursor) | 26570-48-9 | Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) | Average molecular weight ~200; contains MEHQ stabilizer | PEGDA (with MEHQ stabilizer): a classic polymerizable/photo-crosslinkable hydrophilic precursor for PEG-based hydrogels, microgels, surface grafted layers, and tissue engineering/controlled-release carrier research. | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PAA (weak acid / pH-responsive) | 9003-01-4 | Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) | Viscosity ≤2000 cP (25 °C) | Weak-acid polymer commonly used for dispersion, thickening, and adhesion. After neutralization (to partial/complete salts), swelling and thickening increase markedly—making it a common building block for absorbent materials/hydrogels and surface modification. | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PAAS (dispersion / water retention) | 9003-04-7 | Sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) | Average Mw ~8000; 45% in H₂O | Sodium polyacrylate solution: a common dispersant/chelating/antiscalant and stabilizing additive; also provides some thickening and water retention. Used for inorganic particle dispersion, stabilization of waterborne formulations, and fine rheology adjustments. | |
Crosslinked polyacrylic acid | Carbomer (high-viscosity gels / adhesion) | 9007-20-9 | Carbomer 940 (Carbopol® 940 polymer) | — | Crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) high-efficiency thickener: after neutralization it forms clear, high-viscosity gels. Widely used in topical gels, stabilization and rheology structuring of suspensions/emulsions, and bioadhesive gel-matrix research. | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | Polyacrylamide (high-MW flocculation / thickening) | 9003-05-8 | Polyacrylamide (PAM) | Anionic; MW: 16,000–18,000 kD; hydrolysis degree: 30–40% | Ultra-high-molecular-weight anionic PAM for flocculation and thickening in water treatment/mineral slurries, rheology control, and suspension stabilization; also usable as a macromolecular backbone for hydrogel networks (with appropriate crosslinking systems). | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PEI (strong cation / transfection) | 9002-98-6 | P684383 | Polyethylenimine (PEI, ~30% aqueous solution) | ~30% aqueous solution | Strongly cationic polymer solution commonly used for DNA/RNA delivery and cell transfection, cationization surface modification, colloid/particle flocculation, and immobilized carrier construction. |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PAH (cationic LbL / modification) | 71550-12-4 | Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) | Average Mw 50,000 | Cationic polyelectrolyte widely used for layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films, positive surface modification, nanoparticle coating, and polyelectrolyte complex construction (commonly paired with PSS). | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PDADMAC (strong cation / flocculation / LbL) | 26062-79-3 | Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) | Mw 200,000–350,000; 20 wt.% in water; 250–500 cP (25 °C) | Strong cationic polyelectrolyte solution used for flocculation/retention and drainage aids (papermaking and water treatment), positive surface charge modification, and LbL films or polyelectrolyte complexes with PSS. | |
Synthetic polyelectrolyte | PSS (strong anion for LbL / conductive systems) | 25704-18-1 | Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) | Average Mw ~1,000,000; powder | Strong anionic polyelectrolyte powder commonly used for LbL self-assembled films, colloid stabilization, and surface modification; also a typical anionic component source in conductive composites (e.g., the PEDOT:PSS approach). | |
Hydrophilic acrylate polymer | PHEMA (hydrogels / materials) | 25249-16-5 | Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) | Average Mv 300,000; crystalline | One classic hydrophilic hydrogel backbone material (PHEMA). Commonly used in hydrogel fabrication, surface coatings, and biomaterials research (e.g., hydrophilic contact-material or scaffold-related concepts). |
Note: The above are representative Aladdin products. For additional specifications, please refer to the full product list at the end of the article or search Aladdin’s website by product name/CAS number.