Polyethylene Glycol PEG-200 (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) is a typical nonionic surfactant, appearing as a colorless, transparent viscous liquid. Due to its high chemical inertness, good toxicological safety, and easy biodegradability, PEG-200 is used as a high-performance excipient and processing aid in many industrial fields. The ethoxy chain segment in its molecular structure imparts a unique hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance, enabling it to function as both a solvent and solubilizer, while also providing moisturizing, lubricating, and dispersing properties.
From an industry distribution perspective, the end applications of PEG-200 cover more than ten major industrial sectors, including daily chemical care, pharmaceuticals and medical, pesticide formulations, rubber and plastics, metal processing, coatings and inks, textile printing and dyeing, and ceramic processing. In different process scenarios, PEG-200 plays multiple roles such as solvent, solubilizer, humectant, lubricant, dispersant, mold release agent component, heat transfer fluid base component, and chemical synthesis intermediate.
It is worth emphasizing that PEG-200 has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants, which gives it high application flexibility in complex composite formulation systems. For example, in daily chemical products, it can serve as both a humectant and a viscosity modifier; in pesticide formulations, it can simultaneously function as an emulsifier/dispersant and a synergistic co-solvent.
| Application Industry | Functional Role | Typical Process/Product |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Chemical Care | Humectant, Lubricant, Viscosity Modifier | Shampoo, Shower Gel, Creams, Toothpaste |
| Pharmaceuticals and Medical | Solvent, Solubilizer, Ointment Base | Liquid Formulations, Topical Ointments, Drug Solubilization Systems |
| Pesticide Formulations | Emulsifier, Dispersant, Synergistic Adjuvant | Emulsifiable Concentrates, Suspension Concentrates, Emulsions, etc. |
| Industrial Casting and Metalworking | Mold Release Agent Component, High-Temperature Lubricant | Mold Release for Castings, Metal Cutting Lubrication, Heat Transfer Fluids |
| Chemical Synthesis | Synthesis Intermediate, Reaction Solvent | Esterification/Etherification Reactions, Specialty Surfactant Synthesis, Plasticizer Preparation |
| Coatings and Inks | Solvent, Solubilizer, Dispersion Medium | Water-Based Coatings, Printing Inks, Flavor and Fragrance Carriers |
| Textile Printing and Dyeing | Moisturizing Softener, Auxiliary Carrier | Fiber Softening Treatment, Dye Dispersion, Textile Auxiliary Compounding |
| Rubber and Plastics | Mold Release Base Component, Softening Agent | Rubber Mold Release, Plastic Processing Lubrication |
| Ceramics and Dyes | Dispersant, Carrier Medium | Ceramic Slurry Dispersion, Dye/Pigment Homogenization Processing |
| Transportation | Heat Transfer Fluid, Brake Fluid Base Component | Industrial Heat Transfer Systems, Brake Fluid Formulations |
Daily Chemical and Pharmaceutical Fields: It is recommended to add PEG-200 as a humectant and co-solvent directly into the formulation system. The conventional addition amount can be adjusted between 1% and 15% depending on the product type. In pharmaceutical preparations, strict adherence to pharmaceutical grade quality standards is required to ensure compliance with relevant pharmacopoeia requirements.
Industrial Processing Fields: When used as a mold release agent component, it is recommended to compound it with other functional additives for optimal release effect; when used as a heat transfer fluid base component, attention should be paid to its low volatility advantage within the recommended temperature range (-15°C to above 200°C).
Chemical Synthesis Field: Utilizing the terminal hydroxyl reactivity of PEG-200, it can participate in esterification, etherification, and other reactions to prepare specialty nonionic surfactants with specific HLB values. It is recommended to control the reaction temperature and catalyst dosage during synthesis to optimize product distribution.