PVPK30

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also known as povidone, is a non-ionic polymer compound. It is the most distinctive and extensively researched fine chemical among N-vinylamide polymers, and has evolved into three major categories: non-ionic, cationic, and anionic.

PVP is currently classified into three grades: food grade, pharmaceutical grade, and industrial grade. The main product varieties and specifications are categorized by molecular weight into viscosity grades K-15, K-30, K-60, and K-90. Generally, a higher K value indicates greater viscosity and stronger adhesion.

PVP is produced from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) through methods such as bulk polymerization and solution polymerization. In the bulk polymerization process, issues such as high viscosity of the reaction system, difficulty in polymer diffusion, and localized overheating due to poor heat dissipation result in products with low molecular weight, high residual monomer content, and a yellowish appearance, rendering them of limited practical value. Industrially, PVP is typically synthesized via solution polymerization. There are two main routes for PVP production polymerization: the first involves solution polymerization of NVP in an organic solvent followed by steam stripping, while the second route involves aqueous solution polymerization of NVP with water-soluble cationic, anionic, or non-ionic monomers. PVP homopolymers can be obtained by directly heating NVP monomer above 140°C, adding an initiator to an NVP solution and heating, or performing free radical solution polymerization in an NVP solution (using solvents such as water, ethanol, or benzene) with an initiator. Alternatively, direct irradiation of NVP monomer or its solution can also yield PVP homopolymers. The structure and properties of the resulting polymer vary depending on the polymerization method. Free radical solution polymerization yields polymers with more uniform composition and structure, along with greater stability, making it the most commonly used method for NVP homopolymerization. By adjusting reaction conditions such as monomer concentration, polymerization temperature, and initiator dosage, PVP homopolymers with different molecular weights and water solubilities can be obtained.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a non-ionic polymer compound produced by the polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) under specific conditions. PVP offers excellent solubility, chemical stability, low toxicity, and film-forming properties. It is widely used as an additive, auxiliary, or excipient and is a versatile fine chemical product applied in pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, beverages, daily chemicals, and other fields.

As a synthetic water-soluble polymer, PVP possesses general properties of water-soluble polymers, such as colloidal protection, film-forming ability, adhesion, hygroscopicity, solubilization, or coagulation. However, its most notable features, which have garnered significant attention, are its excellent solubility and physiological compatibility. Among synthetic polymers, few exhibit the combination of water solubility, solubility in most organic solvents, low toxicity, and good physiological compatibility like PVP. Especially in fields closely related to human health, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics, PVP is expected to show promising development prospects as raw material costs decrease. Below is a detailed introduction to its application areas:

1. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

PVP has excellent physiological inertness, does not participate in human metabolism, and exhibits good biocompatibility without causing irritation to the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes. Pharmaceutical-grade PVP is one of the three internationally advocated new pharmaceutical excipients. It can be used as a binder for tablets and granules, a solubilizing agent for injections, and a glidant for capsules. It also serves as a detoxifying agent, sustained-release agent, lubricant, and coating film-forming agent for eye drops; a dispersant for liquid preparations; a stabilizer for enzymes and thermosensitive drugs; and a cryopreservation agent. In contact lenses, it enhances hydrophilicity and lubricity. PVP K30 has been approved by national drug regulatory authorities and is officially marketed. The company also supplies povidone K30 with approval numbers.

From a biological perspective, PVP's molecular structure resembles that of simple protein models. Its water solubility, ability to complex with certain small molecules, and precipitation by protein precipitants like tannic acid and phenols are similar to those of proteins. This makes PVP widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical preparations, with specific applications including: ① binder for formulations, ② co-precipitant, ③ solubilizing agent or crystallization inhibitor in injections, ④ coating or film-forming agent, ⑤ sustained-release agent for controlled drug release to prolong drug action, ⑥ artificial vitreous and cornea, ⑦ surgical bandages, and ⑧ PVP iodine disinfectant. Additionally, PVP can serve as a coloring agent and X-ray contrast agent. It is used in various dosage forms such as tablets, granules, and aqueous preparations, offering detoxification, hemostasis, increased solubility, prevention of peritoneal adhesions, and promotion of erythrocyte sedimentation.

2. Food Processing

PVP itself is non-carcinogenic and has good food safety. It can form complexes with specific polyphenols (e.g., tannins) and is primarily used as a clarifier and stabilizer in beer, fruit juice, wine, and other food products. For example, adding 0.01%–0.02% soluble PVP to fermentation tanks effectively lowers the freezing point. PVP serves a similar role in the production of alcohol and vinegar. Cross-linked PVP is particularly widely used in beer and tea beverages. In beer, polyphenols can bind with proteins to form tannin macromolecular complexes, adversely affecting flavor and shortening shelf life. Cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) complexes with tannic acid and anthocyanins in beer, clarifying it and improving storage stability and shelf life. In tea beverages, PVPP reduces the content of tea polyphenols without residual presence, allowing reuse and significantly reducing costs.

3. Daily Cosmetics

Due to its very low toxicity and physiological inertness, PVP is non-irritating to the skin and eyes and has a long history of use in pharmaceuticals, making it safe for cosmetics. In daily cosmetics, PVP and its copolymers offer good dispersibility and film-forming properties. PVP acts as a protective colloid in emulsions and can be used in both fatty and non-fatty ointments. It serves as a setting agent in styling lotions, hairsprays, and mousses; an opacifier in hair conditioners; a foam stabilizer in shampoos; and a dispersant and adhesive in hair dyes. Adding PVP to creams, sunscreens, and depilatories enhances moisturizing and lubricating effects.

4. Detergents

PVP has anti-soil redeposition properties and can be used in transparent liquid or heavy-duty detergents. Its addition to detergents prevents color transfer, enhances cleaning power, and reduces skin irritation from synthetic detergents during fabric washing, particularly for synthetic fibers, outperforming carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based detergents. PVP can be compounded with borax as an active ingredient in phenolic disinfectant cleaners. In detergents combined with solid hydrogen peroxide, it provides bleaching and germicidal effects.

5. Textile Dyeing

PVP has strong affinity for many organic dyes. It can bind with hydrophobic synthetic fibers like polyacrylonitrile, polyester, and nylon, improving dyeability and hydrophilicity. For instance, grafting PVP onto nylon enhances anti-wrinkle properties and moisture resistance in fabrics.

6. Paints and Pigments

PVP-coated paints and coatings form transparent films without altering the original color. It improves the gloss and dispersibility of coatings and pigments, enhances thermal stability, and improves the dispersibility of inks.

7. Polymer Surfactants

As a polymeric surfactant, polyvinylpyrrolidone acts as a dispersant, emulsifier, thickener, leveling agent, particle size regulator, anti-redeposition agent, coagulant, solubilizer, and detergent in various dispersion systems.

8. Catalyst Preparation

It stabilizes active colloidal particles in the preparation of core-shell catalysts.

9. Other Applications

PVP serves as a gelling agent in tertiary oil recovery to enhance oil field extraction rates. In photographic materials, it acts as an auxiliary agent to reduce emulsion viscosity and improve the covering power of developed images. It functions as a thickener, dispersion stabilizer, and adhesion modifier in polymer polymerization processes. In the paper industry, it is used as a dispersant, and in acrylamine gasification reactions, it serves as a co-catalyst. PVP applications are also emerging in separation membranes, photocurable resins, laser discs, drag-reducing coatings, building materials, steelmaking, and electroplating.

PVP has a wide range of applications. In recent years, it has been found to play a significant role in the production of new energy lithium batteries. Used in the cathode slurry of lithium iron phosphate batteries, PVP enhances battery performance, increases charge-discharge capacity, and reduces temperature rise during discharge.

Packaging: 25 kg/cardboard drum

Storage: Sealed, protected from light