Polyethylene glycol PEG-2000 is a nonionic water-soluble polymer formed by the polymerization of ethylene oxide. At room temperature, it appears as a white to slightly yellow waxy solid or flakes. Its nonionic nature allows good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic substances, and it is resistant to acids, alkalis, and hard water. It maintains stable performance across a wide pH range and under various water quality conditions, thus exhibiting excellent adaptability in complex formulation systems.
With its excellent emulsification and dispersion capabilities, outstanding wetting and solubilization effects, and good compatibility, PEG-2000 plays a key role in many industrial fields. Its low volatility and thermal stability ensure the safety of processing processes and product consistency. The terminal active hydroxyl groups provide reaction sites as a chemical synthesis intermediate, enabling the preparation of various nonionic surfactants through esterification or etherification reactions.
In terms of specific applications, PEG-2000 is used as a suppository base, ointment base, drop pill base, and tablet binder in the pharmaceutical field; it provides moisturizing and emollient functions in cosmetics; it is used as an antistatic agent and softener in the textile industry; and it plays an indispensable functional role in papermaking, metalworking fluids, coatings & inks, and daily chemical products.
| Industry | Main Process/Use | Function Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Suppository base, ointment base, drop pill base, tablet binder and lubricant, coating plasticizer, solubilizer and stabilizer for injection | As a drug carrier to promote release and absorption; improve dissolution of poorly soluble drugs; enhance tablet formation and demolding; increase coating film flexibility; cryoprotectant for freeze-drying |
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | Creams, lotions and other skincare formulations | Moisturizer and emollient, providing long-lasting moisturizing effect; viscosity modifier and emulsion stabilizer, building stable multi-emulsion structures |
| Textile Industry | Antistatic finishing, softening finishing, spinning oils | Adsorbs on fiber surfaces to form a hydrophilic film, reducing surface resistance and static buildup; imparts a smooth, soft hand feel to fabrics; acts as a smoothing agent and bundling agent to reduce fiber friction |
| Papermaking Industry | Surface sizing, coating lubrication, paper moisturizing | Improves sizing uniformity and paper surface strength; reduces doctor blade wear, improves coating flowability; maintains paper moisture content, preventing wrinkles and brittleness |
| Metalworking and Industrial Lubrication | Water-based cutting fluids, grinding fluids, mold release agents | Lubrication enhancement, reduces frictional heat, with rust prevention and cleaning capabilities; low pyrolysis residue, smooth film formation, aids mold separation |
| Daily Chemical Products | Shampoos, body washes and other cleansing formulations | Synergizes with surfactants for thickening, provides non-sticky moisturizing afterfeel, improves rinsing experience |
| Coatings, Inks and Adhesives | Waterborne coatings, ink dispersion systems, adhesive modification | Dispersant and rheology modifier, helps uniform dispersion of pigments and fillers; enhances flexibility of adhesive layers, delays drying rate to extend open time |
| Nonionic Surfactant Synthesis | Esterification/etherification reaction intermediates | Reacts with fatty acids, ethylene oxide, etc. via terminal active hydroxyl groups to prepare a series of nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters and polyethers |
Recommended Operating Temperature: The melting point of PEG-2000 is 50–55°C. The operating temperature should be controlled between room temperature and 70°C. When using the molten product, it should be heated until completely melted to avoid local overheating leading to thermal decomposition. Flash point >220°C (closed cup method), non-volatile and non-decomposing under normal processing temperatures, ensuring good process safety.
Compatibility Recommendations: PEG-2000 is compatible with various surfactants, resins, polymer materials, and many organic solvents, offering high flexibility in compounding. It can be used as a co-emulsifier and stabilizer in emulsion systems, and in solubilization formulations, it is recommended to be used in combination with other co-solvents to enhance the effect.