What are the main components of Tween T-60?

The main component of Tween T-60 is polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (also known as Polysorbate 60), a nonionic surfactant formed by the condensation of sorbitan monostearate with ethylene oxide.

Detailed description

The main chemical component of Tween T-60 (Tween 60) is polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate), with CAS number 9005-67-8, belonging to the polyol class of nonionic surfactants. Its molecular structure consists of a hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chain segment (approximately 20 ethylene oxide units) combined with a hydrophobic stearate ester group (C18 saturated fatty acid ester), endowing this product with excellent oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifying ability and solubilizing performance.

This component is produced by the ethoxylation reaction of sorbitan monostearate (i.e., Span 60) with ethylene oxide under alkaline catalytic conditions. After the reaction, approximately 20 oxyethylene groups (-CH₂CH₂O-) are introduced into the molecule, transforming the originally more lipophilic Span 60 into the significantly more hydrophilic Tween T-60. The product appears as a pale yellow to amber oily liquid or paste, with a mild odor.

As an industrial-grade product with a single chemical component, the content (purity) of Tween T-60 varies according to application grade, with the active substance content in common specifications typically above 97%. Impurities mainly include unreacted free sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and a small amount of water. This component exhibits good tolerance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, and can be widely compounded with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants.

Molecular structure characteristics

Application recommendations

Based on the characteristics of the core component polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, Tween T-60 primarily exerts emulsifying, solubilizing, dispersing, wetting, and antistatic functions, and is widely used in the following scenarios:

• Food industry: Added to ice cream, baking fats, coffee creamers as an emulsifier and stabilizer to improve texture and prevent oil-water separation.
• Cosmetics and personal care products: Used in creams, lotions, shampoos, body washes, etc., to uniformly mix oil and water phases, enhancing skin feel fineness and system stability.
• Pharmaceutical preparations: As a solubilizer and emulsifier, improving the dispersion and oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
• Textile industry: Used as a leveling agent, wetting agent, and antistatic agent, improving fiber processing performance and fabric hand feel.
• Agrochemicals: Acts as an emulsifier in emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsions, and water emulsions, enhancing pesticide formulation stability and efficacy.
• Plastics and polymer industry: Used as an internal lubricant and antistatic agent, improving processing fluidity and product surface quality.

Precautions

• Tween T-60 is a practically non-toxic substance (rat oral LD50 > 5000 mg/kg) and is classified as a non-hazardous chemical.
• Direct contact of the concentrated product with skin or eyes may cause mild irritation; it is recommended to wear protective gloves and goggles during operation.
• Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place at a recommended temperature of 5°C to 35°C, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures; seal tightly to prevent moisture.
• Reseal promptly after opening; do not return unused product to the original container.
• Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong alkalis; avoid prolonged contact with copper or copper alloys.