Cellulose ether is a type of polymer compound obtained by chemically modifying natural cellulose. It has good water solubility, thickening, gelling, cohesiveness and water retention properties, so it has been widely used in environmentally friendly building materials. widely used.

1. Characteristics of cellulose ethers
Cellulose ether is a polymer formed from natural plant cellulose after etherification treatment. It has the following main features:

Thickening: Cellulose ether can significantly increase the viscosity of the solution, making the solution easier to operate and control during the construction process.
Water retention: Cellulose ether has good solubility in water and can form a uniform hydration film in the material, delaying the evaporation of water and effectively improving the water retention performance of building materials.
Adhesion: Cellulose ether can enhance the adhesion between building materials and base materials and improve the adhesion properties of materials.
Stability: Cellulose ether has good chemical stability and can maintain its properties in various acid and alkali environments.

2. Application of cellulose ethers in environmentally friendly building materials
2.1 Wall materials
Among wall materials, cellulose ethers are mainly used in products such as gypsum board, dry mortar and wall putty. It can effectively improve the viscosity and water retention of these materials, ensuring the ease of operation of the materials during construction and their strength after final curing.

Gypsum board: In the production of gypsum board, cellulose ethers can be used as dispersants and adhesives to improve the formability and strength of gypsum after hardening.
Dry mortar: Cellulose ether is used as a thickener and water-retaining agent in dry mortar, which can improve the workability and fluidity of the mortar and provide good adhesion during the hardening process.

2.2 Floor materials
Cellulose ethers are also widely used in floor materials such as self-leveling floor materials and tile adhesives. They can effectively improve the fluidity and self-leveling of floor materials and ensure the smoothness and firmness of the paving.

Self-leveling floor materials: The thickening effect of cellulose ether can improve the fluidity of self-leveling floor materials, allowing them to be more evenly distributed on the ground and reduce the generation of air bubbles.
Tile adhesive: In tile adhesive, cellulose ether improves the viscosity and water retention of the glue, making the tiles easier to stick and less likely to slide, improving construction efficiency and quality.

2.3 Waterproof materials
The application of cellulose ether in waterproof materials is mainly reflected in cement-based waterproof coatings. It can improve the viscosity and water retention of the paint, allowing the waterproof layer to form a more uniform and dense protective film, thereby enhancing the waterproof effect.

Cement-based waterproof coating: Cellulose ether, as an additive, can thicken and retain water in cement-based waterproof coatings, making the coating easier to construct and form a uniform coating, and improving its waterproof performance.

2.4 Other applications
In addition to the above main applications, cellulose ethers are also used in thermal insulation materials, construction adhesives and sealing materials. Their presence can significantly improve the overall performance of materials, especially in environmentally friendly building materials, and reduce environmental pollution by replacing traditional harmful chemicals.

As an important polymer material, cellulose ether is increasingly used in environmentally friendly building materials. With its excellent thickening, water retention, adhesion and stability, cellulose ether not only improves the performance of building materials, but also promotes the environmental protection process of the construction industry. In the future development, with the enhancement of environmental awareness and technological advancement, the application prospects of cellulose ethers in environmentally friendly building materials will be broader.