Methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are both commonly used cellulose derivatives, widely used in food, medicine and building materials.

Chemical structure:
Methylcellulose is made by methylating cellulose and mainly contains methyl groups.
HPMC is based on methylcellulose and further introduces hydroxypropyl groups, which makes it have better solubility and viscosity adjustment.

Solubility:
Methylcellulose can form a colloid in water, but its solubility is relatively low.
HPMC is more soluble in water, especially in cold water, forming a transparent solution.

Viscosity characteristics:
Methylcellulose has a higher viscosity and is suitable for applications that require strong bonding.
The viscosity of HPMC can be controlled by adjusting the degree of substitution of hydroxypropyl, and its application range is wider.

Application areas:
Methylcellulose is often used in food thickeners, drug capsules, etc.
HPMC is more commonly used in building materials, coatings and pharmaceutical preparations, especially when better fluidity is required.

Thermal stability:
HPMC has high thermal stability and can maintain performance at higher temperatures.
Methylcellulose may degrade at high temperatures, affecting its functionality.

Methylcellulose and HPMC differ significantly in chemical structure, solubility, viscosity characteristics, and application areas. The choice of which material to use should be determined based on specific application requirements.