Compared to other PEG series monooleates (such as PEG-5 monooleate or PEG-20 monooleate), the greatest advantage of PEG400MO (PEG-8 monooleate) lies in its precise hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. Its HLB value is approximately 11.5, which is in the core advantageous range for O\/W (oil-in-water) emulsifiers. In contrast, products with lower EO numbers (e.g., PEG-5 monooleate, HLB about 9) are more inclined towards W\/O systems, while products with higher EO numbers (e.g., PEG-20 monooleate, HLB about 15), although more water-soluble, may have reduced emulsifying power for natural oils. Due to the perfect ratio of approximately 8~9 EO units (polyoxyethylene chain segment) to the oleic acid fatty chain in its molecule, PEG400MO can form a stable emulsion with higher interfacial film strength, making it particularly suitable for formulations requiring long-term stability, such as creams, lotions, and pesticide emulsifiable concentrates.
\n\nCompared to traditional sorbitan monooleate (Span-80, HLB about 4.3, W\/O type) or ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate (Tween-80, HLB about 15), PEG400MO demonstrates great flexibility in formulation compatibility. Span-80 has poor water solubility and can only be used in W\/O systems, whereas PEG400MO has good self-emulsification and dispersion ability in water. Even compared to Tween-80, the HLB value of PEG400MO is more intermediate, allowing it to be used both as a single emulsifier or as a key component to balance the HLB value of a formulation, combined with co-emulsifiers of high and low HLB values to precisely target the phase inversion point of the emulsion, thereby significantly improving the heat and cold stability of cosmetic or industrial emulsions. Additionally, the Guoli Chemical database shows it has low foaming characteristics, which offers an application advantage over high-EO-number products that produce rich foam in scenarios requiring rapid defoaming, such as industrial cleaning and metalworking fluids.
\n\nIn terms of safety, the advantages of PEG400MO are equally undeniable. Its toxicological data show a primary skin irritation index (PII) of 0.0, indicating it is completely non-irritating, with an acute oral toxicity LD₅₀ greater than 5000 mg\/kg. This extreme mildness is rare among many nonionic emulsifiers. Tween-80 is considered mild but still occasionally carries a risk of eye irritation, while Span-80 may sometimes have comedogenic potential. PEG400MO, due to its high purity (monoester content ≥90%, diester <10%, free alcohol ≤1%) and low heavy metal residues (heavy metals ≤10ppm, arsenic ≤2ppm), provides a safer choice in personal care fields with extremely high safety requirements, such as baby care products, eye makeup removers, and sensitive skin repair creams.
\n\n| Parameter Item | \nPEG400MO (Guoli Chemical) | \n
|---|---|
| CAS Number | \n9004-96-0 | \n
| Ionic Type | \nNonionic Surfactant | \n
| Appearance | \nLight Yellow to Amber Transparent Liquid | \n
| HLB Value | \n11.5 (Core range of O\/W emulsifier) | \n
| Monoester Content | \n≥90% (High purity, ensuring emulsification performance) | \n
| Active Content | \n≥99% | \n
| Cloud Point (℃, 1% aqueous solution) | \n50~70 | \n
| Surface Tension (mN\/m) | \nApprox. 32 (Low surface tension, facilitating spreading) | \n
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) | \nApprox. 0.05 g\/L (Effective at very low dosage) | \n
| Iodine Value (gI₂\/100g) | \n70~90 (Contains unsaturated double bonds, gives soft skin feel) | \n
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | \n5.0~7.0 | \n
| Skin Irritation (PII) | \n0.0 (Non-irritating) | \n
Given the above advantages, PEG400MO is very suitable for scenarios with high requirements for both emulsification stability and mildness:
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