Tween T-80 is a classic nonionic surfactant, chemically known as polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, widely used in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and industrial fields, with efficient emulsifying, solubilizing, dispersing, and wetting capabilities.
Detailed Description
Tween T-80 (Tween 80, also known as Polysorbate 80, CAS number: 9005-65-6) is produced by condensing sorbitan monooleate with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide. Its molecular structure combines hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chains and hydrophobic fatty acid ester groups, providing excellent adsorption and stabilization at oil-water interfaces. The product typically appears as a pale yellow to amber viscous liquid with a slight characteristic odor.
As a mature general-purpose surfactant, Tween T-80 maintains excellent stability in acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments, and can be widely compounded with various ionic and nonionic auxiliaries. Its mild and low-toxicity characteristics make it one of the few surfactants approved for use in pharmaceutical injections and the food industry, playing an irreplaceable role in enhancing bioavailability and formulation stability.
Core Performance Advantages
- Efficient Emulsification and Solubilization: Significantly reduces oil-water interfacial tension, forming stable and fine O/W emulsion systems, with excellent solubilization capability for poorly soluble substances (such as lipophilic drugs, fragrances, essential oils).
- Excellent Dispersion and Wetting: Effectively adsorbs at solid/liquid interfaces, quickly wets powders and disperses them uniformly, preventing particle agglomeration and sedimentation.
- Broad Chemical Compatibility: Remains stable in acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments, with good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic auxiliaries.
- Mild and Low Toxicity: Low irritation to skin and mucous membranes, low toxicity to aquatic organisms, meeting green chemistry application requirements in multiple fields.
Technical Parameters
According to the Guoli Chemical product database, the CAS number of Tween T-80 is 9005-65-6, with the chemical name polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate. The database currently does not contain detailed technical specification parameters for this product (such as HLB value, hydroxyl value, saponification value, etc.).
The following are typical reference data common in the industry (not actual measured values from Guoli Chemical, for reference only):
| Parameter Name | Typical Reference Range |
|---|
| HLB Value | Approximately 15.0 (O/W emulsifier) |
| Hydroxyl Value | 65–80 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 45–55 mgKOH/g |
| Acid Value | ≤2.0 mgKOH/g |
| Moisture | ≤3.0% |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid |
Note: For detailed specification parameters, please refer to the batch inspection report (COA) provided by Guoli Chemical.
Application Suggestions
Tween T-80 plays a key role in multiple industries due to its multifunctional properties:
- Pharmaceutical Formulations: Used as an efficient solubilizer and emulsifier in injections, oral liquids, and topical ointments to ensure the bioavailability and stability of active ingredients. The recommended dosage should be determined experimentally based on specific formulation processes.
- Food Industry: Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in products such as ice cream, bakery fats, and beverages to improve texture and mouthfeel. Dosage must comply with GB 2760 and relevant food regulations.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: Used as an emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions, cleansing oils, and perfumes to provide a refreshing skin feel and help uniformly disperse active ingredients and fragrances. Typical dosage is 0.5%–5%.
- Textile and Fiber: Used as an antistatic agent and softener component in synthetic fiber spinning oils, reducing fiber friction and improving spinnability and hand feel.
- Coatings and Inks: Used as an efficient pigment dispersant and wetting agent in water-based coatings and inks to prevent pigment flocculation.
- Agrochemicals: Used as an efficient emulsifier for pesticide emulsifiable concentrates and as a tank-mix spreader to enhance the spreading and penetration of spray liquid on target surfaces.
- Petroleum and Industrial Lubrication: Used as an emulsifier and lubricant component in drilling fluids and metalworking fluids, ensuring system stability under extreme working conditions.
- Daily Chemical Cleaning: Used in laundry detergents and kitchen cleaners to solubilize fragrances and grease, improving detergency and product transparency.
Precautions
- Operational Protection: Although the product is not a hazardous substance, it is recommended to wear chemical protective gloves and goggles during handling, avoiding prolonged direct contact with eyes and skin.
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, recommended temperature 10–30°C, keep containers tightly sealed, avoid freezing and excessively high temperatures. Reseal after opening.
- Compatibility Check: In formulations containing phenolic preservatives, Tween T-80 may reduce preservative efficacy due to hydrogen bonding; compatibility tests are recommended in advance.
- Environmental Protection: The product has low toxicity to aquatic organisms and is biodegradable, but untreated materials must not be directly discharged into drainage systems or natural water bodies. Large spills may form a physical film on the water surface, affecting oxygen exchange.
- Regulatory Compliance: For pharmaceutical and food-grade applications, appropriate product grades must be selected, and relevant regulations and standards must be strictly followed.
