Polyethylene-polypropylene glycol
Multifunctional surfactant performance：PPG-PEG (Poloxamer) acts as an emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer, defoamer, and wetting agent, making it highly versatile for many formulations.
Highly tunable properties：By adjusting the ratio of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO), its solubility, foaming, and wetting behavior can be precisely customized for different applications.
Broad industry applicability：It is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, papermaking, and cleaning products, demonstrating excellent cross-industry adaptability.
Excellent compatibility in formulations：Its block copolymer structure provides balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, ensuring stable and effective performance in complex systems.
Polyethylene-polypropylene glycol (PPG-PEG), also called Poloxamer, is a multifunctional block copolymer surfactant composed of a hydrophobic polypropylene oxide (PPO) core and hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) segments on both sides. It is widely used as an emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer, defoamer, and wetting agent in many industries. Its applications include pharmaceuticals (such as drug delivery systems, contact lens solutions, and laxatives), cosmetics, papermaking, and cleaning products. The performance characteristics—such as solubility, foaming, and wetting—can be adjusted by changing the ratio of PEO to PPO in its structure.
Common CAS values for polyether polyols (often used in the industry)
| Type | English Name | CAS |
| PPG | Polypropylene Glycol | 25322-69-4 |
| PEG | Polyethylene Glycol | 25322-68-3 |
| Polyether Polyol（General） | Polyether polyol | 9082-00-2 (Some SDS use） |
| Melting point | 57-61℃ |
| Boiling point | >200 °C(lit.) |
| Bulk density | 1050kg/m3 |
| Density | 1.095 g/mL at 25 ℃ |
| Vapor density | >1 (vs air) |
| Vapor pressure | <0.3 mm Hg (20°C) |
| Refractive index | n20/D 1.466 |
| Flash point | >230°F |
| Storage conditions | 2-8°C |
| Solubility | H2O： exist <70 °Csoluble |
| Form | The solution may darken in color during storage. |
| Color | APHA:<120,50/50CH3OH |
| pH value | 5.0-7.5 (100g/L in H2O) |
| Acid-base indicator color change pH range | 5.0-7.5 |
| Biological origin | synthetic |
| Water solubility | Miscible with water |
| Maximum wavelength (λmax) | λ: 260 nm Amax: <0.3 |
| λ: 280 nm Amax: <0..2 | |
| Merck | 137,644 |
Common Applications
Pharmaceuticals: Used as an excipient in oral, topical, and injectable drugs. It serves as a solubilizing agent for poorly water-soluble drugs and is found in laxatives (as a stool softener) and eye-drop formulations.
Personal Care: Found in shampoos, toothpaste, moisturizers, and contact lens care solutions as a cleansing and thickening agent.
Industrial Uses: Employed as a low-foam detergent, defoamer in paper and fermentation industries, and a lubricant in metalworking and rubber vulcanization.
Biotechnology: Used in cell culture media to protect cells from shear stress in bioreactors.
