Product Details

PEG (200-300-400-600)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a linear polyether made of repeating units of ethylene oxide with the general formula H–(OCH₂CH₂)ₙ–OH. Depending on the value of n (i.e. molecular weight), it can be a clear liquid, paste, or waxy solid. PEG is widely used in various industries due to its chemical stability, high solubility in water and many organic solvents, and biological inertness. The most important factor in selecting and purchasing polyethylene glycol is its molecular weight, which directly affects its physical properties and industrial application. For example, PEG 400 is a low-viscosity, fluid liquid for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, while PEG 6000 is a solid with different properties for food, pharmaceutical, or industrial applications. In the Iranian market, PEG is usually available in pharmaceutical, industrial, and cosmetic grades, and paying attention to its type and purity is essential for proper use in formulations.

Usages

This material is a glycol polymer that can be used as an emulsifier in various formulations. Its ability to reduce the surface tension between water and oil facilitates the formation and stability of emulsions.

Food Industry
A specific form of this material is also used in the food industry. Some of the roles of this material in the food industry are:

Plasticizer
Lubricant
Diffuser
Coating
Binding
Flavor Enhancer
Emulsifier
Releasing Agent
Thickener
Antifoam
Processing Aid
The standards published for this compound by the Food and Drug Administration are as follows:

PEG Application

In what food products is this material used? Chewing gum, dietary supplements, flavored drinks, etc.

Medicinal and cosmetic applications
Hydrogenated castor oil, or PEG 40, is added to cosmetic or personal care products as a surfactant, a solubilizer, an emulsifier, a softener, a cleaning agent.

In pharmaceutical products, this substance acts as castor oil and as a laxative.

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Applications according to its chemical properties
Since PEG is a hydrophilic molecule, it is used to produce microscope glasses (slides and lamellas). The reason for this is to prevent protein from sticking to the glass in single-molecule fluorescence studies.

It has low toxicity and is widely used in a variety of products. This polymer is used as an additive to coatings of various surfaces in aqueous and non-aqueous environments.

Since PEG is a flexible and water-soluble polymer, it can be used to create high osmotic pressures (up to tens of atmospheres). It has a specific interaction with biological chemicals. These properties enable PEG to be a useful option for use in biochemical and biomembrane experiments, especially when using the osmotic stress technique.

It is commonly used as a stationary polar phase for gas chromatography and as a liquid with a high heat transfer coefficient in electronic testing.

It has also been used to preserve objects that have been recovered from underwater (such as shipwrecks, etc.). It is placed in wooden objects instead of water, and improves the drying process of wood.

Biological applications
When working with phenol in the laboratory,

PEG 300 can be used on phenol burns to inactivate residual phenols.

In biophysics, PEG is an option for examining the diameter of channels with ionic functionality; Because in aqueous solutions it has a spherical shape and can inhibit ion channel conduction.

Commercial uses
It is the base of many skin creams (such as Cytomacrogol).

It is used as a dispersing agent in some toothpastes. In this application, it binds water molecules together and causes the xanthan gum to be evenly distributed throughout the toothpaste.

It is under investigation for use in bulletproof vests.

Industrial uses
The plasticizer nitrate ester of polyethylene glycol (NEPE-75) is used in solid ballistic missile fuel.

It is used as a gate insulator in a double-layer electrical transistor to excite the superconducting material within the insulator.

It is injected into some industrial processes to reduce foaming in separation equipment.

It is used as a binder in the preparation of certain ceramics.

Storage conditions

In order to maintain the quality and properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG) over time, it is very important to follow the correct storage principles. The appropriate temperature for storing this material is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, as high temperatures can cause gradual degradation and reduce its effectiveness.

It is also essential to use resistant plastic containers or stainless steel tanks to store PEG, as ordinary metal containers may react with this material and reduce its quality. Although polyethylene glycol is generally a stable material, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and humid environments should be avoided to maintain maximum properties.

On an industrial scale, accurate labeling of containers including the product name, manufacturing series and production date prevents errors in storage processes. Finally, despite the inherent stability of PEG, it is recommended to use this material within the time period announced by the manufacturer to ensure its best performance and quality.

(PEG) is a polyether compound with many applications ranging from industrial to pharmaceutical applications. It is known as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE), depending on its molecular weight. The structure of PEG is usually represented as H-(O-CH2-CH2)n-OH. PEG is soluble in water, ethanol, and many other organic solvents such as DMF, dichloromethane, toluene, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, etc.

 

Note:

As mentioned, polyethylene glycol (PEG), also known as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or poly(oxyethylene) (POE), is a synthetic, hydrophilic, and biocompatible polyethylene. Typically, materials with molecular weights of less than 20,000 g/mol are referred to as PEG, while those with molecular weights higher than 20,000 g/mol are called PEO. These polymers are soluble in water as well as in many organic solvents such as ethanol, acetonitrile, toluene, acetone, dichloromethane, hexane, and chloroform.

 

Structure of 200 PEG

PEG products have different properties depending on different molecular weights (Mw). From an appearance perspective, PEGs with Mw 200-700 are usually liquid at room temperature, and those with Mw > 700 gradually transform from semi-solids to soft solids (Mw between 1000 and 2000 mw), and finally PEGs with molecular weights (Mw > 2000) transform into hard crystalline solids.

Note that: With increasing Mw, the water solubility, vapor pressure, water absorption and solubility in organic solvents of PEG decrease respectively, while its freezing point, relative density, flash point and viscosity increase.

 

Properties of Polyethylene Glycol 400 and… (PEG)

It is a transparent, colorless and odorless substance. It is soluble in water, stable to heat, inert to many chemicals, does not hydrolyze or decompose, and is non-toxic.

According to research on this material, it is considered an environmentally friendly material. In other words, living tissues or organisms are able to coexist with PEG without being harmed. This material does not stimulate the immune system after entering the body of a living organism. They are also known as biodegradable materials, in other words, they are broken down by aerobic and anaerobic microbes.

 

Process of producing polyethylene glycol (PEG)

PEG can be synthesized by anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide and any other hydroxyl initiator. The hydroxyl group can be from water or ethylene glycol or any other diol. PEG can also be obtained from epoxyethane by ring-opening polymerization. Commercial PEGs are available with different degrees of polymerization and functional groups.

The following reaction is an example of the soap polymerization process for producing PEG:

HOCH2CH2OH + n(CH2CH2O) → HO(CH2CH2O)n+1H

 

In high molecular weight PEG: This reaction is catalyzed by magnesium, aluminum, or calcium compounds attached to organic compounds. Chelating agents such as dimethylglyoxime are used to prevent the polymer chains from coagulating from solution.

In low molecular weight PEG: Alkaline catalysts such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) are used to prepare low molecular weight PEG.

What is polyethylene glycol?

This material is a crystalline and thermoplastic polyether compound, also known as polyethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene and POE. It is in the family of linear polymers and the molecular weight of this material varies from 200 to several million, which is related to the number of ethylene oxide groups. Its trade name depends on the length of the polymer chain. It exists in two states, liquid and solid, according to the molecular weight. This material is liquid with a molecular weight of less than 600, while it is solid with a molecular weight of 1000 and above. This compound is non-volatile, water-soluble, tasteless and odorless. It is miscible with water, alcohols, esters, ketones, aromatic solvents and chlorinated hydrocarbons. But it is immiscible with alkanes, paraffins, waxes and ethers. In general, this material is an inert molecule with a high molecular weight. It is used as an excipient in pharmaceutical products, medical applications, as a lubricant coating, skin creams and toothpaste.

What is PEG 600?

PEG 600 is a semi-solid water-soluble material with a molecular weight between 570 and 630. Its density decreases with temperature, from 1125.8 kg/m3 at 20°C to 1093 kg/m3 at 60°C.

What is polyethylene glycol 4000?

This means that the molecular weight of this compound is 4000. It acts as an osmotic agent and increases the water content of the stool; hence it is used as a laxative.

Properties:

PEG is a synthetic chemical compound derived from petroleum. It is a hydrophilic polymer made by reacting ethylene oxide with ethylene glycol or with ethylene glycol oligomers or water. Its formula is H−(O−CH2−CH2)n−OH, where n represents the number of ethylene oxide units. Changing the molecular weight of this material can have minor effects on its properties and affect its physical form and appearance.

This substance is non-toxic, colorless, inert, odorless and non-volatile and is soluble in water and organic solvents such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform.

 

Physical and chemical properties:

Structural formula
Chemical formulaC2nH4n+2On+1
CAS NO25322-68-3
Specifications AppearanceDepending on the molecular weight, it can be solid or liquid.
E NumberE1521
Molar mass44.05n + 18.02 g/mol
Density1.125
SolubilitySoluble in water and solvents Organic

Production Method:

This material was first produced in 1859. It is produced by the interaction of ethylene oxide with water, producing ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol oligomers. The reaction is catalyzed by acid or base catalysts. Ethylene glycol and its oligomers are preferred as starting materials over water because they allow the formation of polymers with low polydispersity.

HOCH2CH2OH + n(CH2CH2O) → HO(CH2CH2O)n+1H

Depending on the type of catalyst, the polymerization mechanism can be cationic or anionic. The polymerization of ethylene oxide is an exothermic process. Excessive heating or contamination of ethylene oxide with catalysts such as alkali or metal oxides can cause rapid polymerization, which ends in explosion after a few hours. This high molecular weight material is synthesized by suspension polymerization. Catalysts such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium carbonate are used to prepare low molecular weight polyethylene glycol.

 

Applications of PEG:

This material is used in various industries due to its many properties. We will discuss its applications below.

 

Food-grade polyethylene glycol:

This material is used in food grade in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

 

Use of Polyethylene Glycol in Medicine:

Pharmaceutical grade This material is used as an excipient in many pharmaceutical products, in oral, topical and injectable forms. The reason for this is the non-toxicity and high solubility of this material. Complete bowel lavage with PEG and added electrolytes is used to prepare the bowel before surgery or for constipation in children.

 

Polyethylene Glycol in the treatment of constipation

Pharmaceutical grade This material is used in the treatment of constipation and is classified as a laxative. Polyethylene Glycol Syrup is a water-soluble substance and is absorbed as a drug in the digestive tract. In general

Other uses:

Other uses of this substance include:

  • An antifoaming agent in foods and beverages.
  • The basis of many skin creams and personal lubricants.
  • Used as a dispersant in some toothpastes.
  • Used as a surfactant, emulsifier, cleanser, moisturizer, and skin softener in cosmetics and personal care products.
  • Replaces water in wooden objects, making wood dimensionally stable and preventing wood from warping or shrinking when dried.

An additive added to silver halide photographic emulsions.

 

Global Market:

The global market value of this substance in 2024 was $5102 million and is expected to grow by 5.2% to $6909.6 million by 2030. The main factors driving the market for this compound include its use as a specialty solvent and surfactant in creams and lotions, toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, fabric softeners, soaps, and detergents. This compound is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, adhesives, paints, and coatings. The expansion of the paper industry in China and India is expected to increase the demand for this chemical, as it is used as a color stabilizer in the production of paper and ceramics.

Because it is used as a color stabilizer in the production of paper and ceramics. Of course, since it is a hydrophilic compound, it is also used in the manufacture of medicines, and hence the market has been growing. Of course, North America has the second largest share in the world with about 30%. In this area, PEG is used in the cosmetics and food industries.

 

 

MSDS and safety tips:

Although this compound is non-toxic, it is necessary to read the relevant safety data sheet before working with it.

  • After inhalation, leave the work area and breathe fresh air.
  • In case of contact with eyes, remove lenses and rinse the area with plenty of water.
  • After contact with skin, change contaminated clothing and wash the area.
  • If swallowed, be sure to drink 2 glasses of water and consult a doctor if you feel uncomfortable.

Control the risks of working with this substance by following safety tips.