Polyethylene Glycol PEG-8000 is a high molecular weight non-ionic water-soluble polymer, appearing as a white waxy solid or free-flowing powder, widely used in various industrial fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, coatings, textiles, and papermaking.
Detailed Description
Polyethylene Glycol PEG-8000 (CAS number: 25322-68-3) is a high molecular weight polyether compound formed by the polymerization of ethylene oxide, with a molecular weight of approximately 8000 Daltons, belonging to non-ionic surfactants. Its chemical structure consists of repeating oxyethylene units (-CH₂CH₂O-), with hydroxyl groups at both ends, giving it excellent water solubility and chemical stability. At room temperature, it appears as a white waxy solid or free-flowing powder with no significant odor.
As one of the core products of Guoli Chemical, PEG-8000 plays an irreplaceable role in various industrial fields due to its excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing properties, as well as its outstanding tolerance to acids, alkalis, and hard water. It has extremely high water solubility, forming clear and transparent solutions, while also exhibiting good compatibility with various organic solvents. Its non-ionic nature ensures stable performance across a wide pH range and in hard water conditions, without easily reacting adversely with other components in the system.
PEG-8000 is recognized as a safe material with low toxicity and low irritation. The oral LD₅₀ in rats is greater than 50,000 mg/kg, with no skin irritation, only mild eye irritation, and no reports of sensitization or genotoxicity, meeting the strict safety standards of most industrial and consumer products.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Item | Parameter Value/Description |
|---|
| Product Name | Polyethylene Glycol PEG-8000 |
| CAS Number | 25322-68-3 |
| Aliases | Polyethylene Glycol 8000, PEG 8000, Polyoxyethylene 8000, Macrogol 8000, Carbowax 8000, Polyethylene glycol 8000 |
| Product Type | Non-ionic Surfactant / Water-soluble Polymer |
| Appearance | White waxy solid or free-flowing powder |
| Molecular Weight | Approximately 8000 |
| Solubility | Very soluble in water, compatible with many organic solvents |
| Ionic Type | Non-ionic |
| pH Stability | Stable over a wide pH range |
| Hard Water Tolerance | Excellent |
| Acute Toxicity (Oral) | LD₅₀ > 50,000 mg/kg (Rat) |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating |
| Eye Irritation | Mildly irritating |
Application Suggestions
The versatility of PEG-8000 makes it widely used in many demanding industrial fields:
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a key component in hydrophilic ointment bases, suppository bases, as a water-soluble lubricant and binder in tablets; also used as a thickener in eye drops to prolong drug retention on the ocular surface.
- Personal Care and Cosmetics: Used as a humectant, lubricant, and emulsifying stabilizer in creams, lotions, and cleansing products, providing a moisturizing, non-greasy skin feel.
- Coatings and Inks: Acts as a dispersant for pigments and fillers, improving color development and system flow, preventing particle flocculation and sedimentation.
- Rubber and Plastics Processing: Serves as an efficient mold release agent and antistatic agent, forming a uniform isolation layer on the mold surface, improving product surface quality.
- Metalworking Fluids: Provides excellent boundary lubrication performance, effectively protecting tools and workpieces under harsh conditions such as cutting and grinding.
- Textile Industry: Used in warp sizing to increase fiber cohesion and smoothness; also as an antistatic finishing agent.
- Papermaking Industry: Used as a coating gloss agent to enhance paper surface smoothness and gloss.
- Modern Agriculture: Serves as an efficient carrier and dispersing aid for water-dispersible granules.
- Biotechnology: Used as a protein precipitation and crystallization agent, cell fusion promoter, and virus concentration medium.
Precautions
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, avoiding prolonged exposure to temperatures above 40°C to prevent product softening and caking. Keep containers sealed, away from fire and heat sources.
- Avoid Contact: Avoid storing or transporting together with strong oxidizers and strong acids. Wear protective goggles during operation; it is recommended to wear a dust mask in dusty environments.
- First Aid Measures: In case of eye contact, immediately flush with running water for at least 15 minutes; for skin contact, wash with plenty of soap and water; if ingested, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.
- Environmental Friendly: Low toxicity to aquatic organisms, easily biodegradable, but still avoid spillage into sewers or surface waters.
