Question

What are the physicochemical and technical parameters of PEG400MO, Polyethylene Glycol 400 Monooleate?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 PEG400MO,聚乙二醇400单油酸酯

PEG400MO (Polyethylene Glycol 400 Monooleate) is a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of approximately 11.5. At room temperature, it appears as a light yellow to amber transparent liquid, exhibiting excellent comprehensive physicochemical properties, mildness, and low toxicity.

Detailed Description

PEG400MO (CAS No.: 9004-96-0), chemically known as Polyethylene Glycol 400 Monooleate, also referred to as PEG-8 Monooleate, has a molecular formula of C₁₇H₃₃COO(CH₂CH₂O)ₙH (n≈8~9) and a molecular weight of approximately 600. The product appears as a light yellow to amber transparent oily liquid and belongs to the category of nonionic surfactants. Its molecular structure combines hydrophilic polyoxyethylene segments with the hydrophobic long chain of oleic acid, endowing the product with excellent amphiphilic properties.

This product has stable physicochemical properties and is not prone to deterioration under recommended storage conditions. It is hygroscopic and should be stored in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption. It is readily soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, and other polar solvents, forming a clear to slightly milky solution in water. Due to its nonionic nature, it maintains stable surface activity under acidic, alkaline, and high-hardness water conditions, and exhibits good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. Low temperatures (< 5°C) may cause the product to solidify or thicken, which is a physical change; normal consistency can be restored by gentle warming and stirring.

The product has excellent safety profile: acute oral toxicity LD₅₀ >5,000 mg/kg (rat), acute dermal toxicity LD₅₀ >2,000 mg/kg (rabbit), primary irritation index (PII) of 0.0 in skin irritation tests (non-irritating); it may cause slight transient eye irritation. It has low toxicity to aquatic organisms (zebrafish 96h LC₅₀ and Daphnia magna 48h EC₅₀ both >100 mg/L), meeting environmental requirements.

Technical Parameters

The following are the main physicochemical and technical parameters of PEG400MO (Polyethylene Glycol 400 Monooleate), sourced from the Guoli Chemical product database:

ParameterSpecification/ValueParameterSpecification/Value
AppearanceLight yellow to amber liquidMelting Point< -10 °C
Ionic TypeNonionicFlash Point (Closed Cup)>200 °C
HLB Value11.5Density1.11~1.13 g/cm³
Cloud Point50~70 °CKinematic ViscosityApprox. 80~120 mm²/s
Active Content≥99%Refractive Index1.466~1.468
pH (1% Aqueous Solution)5.0~7.0Surface TensionApprox. 32 mN/m
pH (5% Aqueous Solution)4.5~7.5Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)Approx. 0.05 g/L
Acid Value≤5 mgKOH/gIodine Value70~90 gI₂/100g
Saponification Value80~100 mgKOH/gHydroxyl Value85~105 mgKOH/g
Moisture Content≤1.0%Degree of UnsaturationApprox. 1.67 mol/kg
Monoester Content≥90%Diester Content<10%
Free Alcohol≤1%Foam CharacteristicsLow foaming
Heavy Metals (as Pb)≤10 ppmArsenic (As)≤2 ppm
SolubilityReadily soluble in water, ethanol, acetoneHygroscopicityHygroscopic
Chemical StabilityStable, avoid strong acids, strong bases, and strong oxidizing agentsAlkali ResistanceModerate, hydrolyzes in strong alkali
Packaging Specification20 kg woven bagRecommended Storage Temperature5°C~40°C

Application Recommendations

Based on the HLB value (11.5) and physicochemical characteristics of PEG400MO, this product is particularly suitable for O/W (oil-in-water) emulsion systems. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is recommended for use in creams, lotions, makeup removers, and facial cleansers at a dosage of 1% to 5% of the total formulation, providing stable emulsification and a silky skin feel. In textile auxiliaries, when used as a spinning oil and softener component, the recommended dosage is 3% to 10%. In metalworking fluids, as an emulsifying and lubricating component, the recommended dosage is 5% to 15%. In pesticide formulations such as emulsifiable concentrates and suspension concentrates, using 5% to 20% of the pesticide active ingredient can significantly enhance emulsification, dispersion, and spray liquid adhesion. In coatings, inks, and industrial cleaning applications, the dosage can be flexibly adjusted within the range of 1% to 8% based on specific formulation needs.

Notes

  • Handling Protection: Although the product has low skin irritation (PII=0.0), it is still recommended to wear safety goggles and protective gloves during operation to prevent accidental splashes into the eyes.
  • Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place at 5°C~40°C, keep container tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption. Solidification at low temperatures is a normal physical change; use after gentle warming and stirring.
  • Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents (e.g., peroxides, concentrated nitric acid). May undergo hydrolysis under strong alkaline conditions; evaluate the impact of alkaline environment on product stability in the formulation.
  • Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste product and contaminated containers in accordance with local regulations.