Polyethylene glycol PEG-2000 (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) is a nonionic water-soluble polymer, appearing as a white to yellowish waxy solid or flakes at room temperature. Its nonionic nature allows good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic substances, demonstrating excellent adaptability in complex formulation systems. The product has good thermal reversibility (melting point approximately 50–55°C), becoming a transparent viscous liquid upon melting and reverting to a solid state upon cooling, facilitating processing operations in various industries.
In end-use applications, PEG-2000 can be used directly as a functional additive (such as humectant, lubricant, dispersant) or as a key synthetic intermediate. Through esterification or etherification reactions with fatty acids, ethylene oxide, etc., it produces a series of nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters and polyethers, widely serving formulation needs such as emulsification, dispersion, and leveling.
The product's low toxicity (rat oral LD₅₀>5000 mg/kg), non-irritating to skin, good biodegradability, and non-flammable and non-explosive safety properties further expand its application space in human contact products such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
| Industry Field | Specific Process/Use | Function Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Suppository base, ointment base, pill base, tablet binder and lubricant, coating plasticizer, solubilizer for injections, and cryoprotectant | Utilizing suitable melting range and water solubility as drug carrier to promote drug release and absorption; providing binding effect in wet granulation or direct compression to improve tablet forming and demolding |
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | Humectant and emollient in creams, lotions, and skincare products; viscosity modifier and emulsion stabilizer | Providing lasting moisturizing effect through hygroscopicity and water retention capacity; adjusting rheological properties in aqueous systems to assist in building stable multiple emulsion structures |
| Textile Industry | Antistatic agent, softening finishing agent, spinning oil component | Adsorbing on fiber surface to form hydrophilic film, reducing surface resistance and electrostatic accumulation, giving fabric smooth and soft hand feel; used as smoothing agent and bundling agent in spinning |
| Papermaking Industry | Sizing agent component, coating lubricant, humectant | Improving uniformity of surface sizing on paper, maintaining appropriate moisture content of paper web; reducing doctor blade wear in coating formulations, improving coating flowability, enhancing gloss and printability |
| Metalworking Fluids and Industrial Lubrication | Additive in water-based cutting/grinding fluids, release agent component | Acting as lubricity enhancer to reduce frictional heat, with rust prevention and cleaning ability; assisting in mold and product separation in die casting, injection molding, etc., with low pyrolysis residue and smooth film formation |
| Coatings, Inks, and Adhesives | Dispersant, rheology modifier, flexibility modifier | Helping uniform dispersion of pigments and fillers, adjusting thixotropy and leveling, preventing settling and splashing; enhancing flexibility of adhesive layer in systems like starch adhesives |
| Daily Chemicals | Thickening and moisturizing additive in shampoos, body washes, and other cleansing formulations | Synergistically thickening with surfactants, providing non-sticky moisturizing after-feel, improving rinsing experience |
| Surfactant Synthesis | Esterification/etherification precursor (intermediate) | Reacting terminal active hydroxyl groups with fatty acids, ethylene oxide, etc., to prepare series of nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters and polyethers |
1. Operating Temperature Control: It is recommended to use molten PEG-2000 between room temperature and 70°C to avoid local overheating causing thermal decomposition. For heat-sensitive processes such as pharmaceutical suppositories and pills, precise control of melting and cooling rates is required to ensure forming quality.
2. Compounding Suggestions: PEG-2000 has good compatibility with various anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants. In composite formulations, it is recommended to dissolve in the aqueous phase first before mixing with other components to ensure uniform dispersion.
3. Dosage Reference: When used as a humectant or thickening aid, the typical recommended addition amount is 1%–15% of the formulation (specific dosage depends on the actual formulation system); when used as a dispersant, 0.5%–5% is recommended.