Polysorbate 20 USP/NF

Applications

Polysorbate 20 USP/NF is a polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant used in many commercial and household products. It is composed of 20 repeated units of polyethylene glycol via ethoxylation. Polysorbate 20 USP/NF is a wetting agent, as well as washing agent, stabilizer and solubilizer in food products, laboratory assays and industrial applications. It is also an excipient that stabilizes emulsions and suspensions and lubricant in ophthalmic solutions. Polysorbate 20 USP/NF is used by philatelists to remove stamps from envelopes and to remove residues from stamps, without harming the stamp itself. Polysorbate 20 USP/NF is also used as wetting agent in rubber balers in the elastomer industry. Polysorbate 20 has been used as a shape directing agent to synthesize spheroidal magnetite nanoassemblies.

USP–NF is a combination of two compendia, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF).

Specifications

Appearance: Oily, yellow to brownish-yellow, clear or slightly opalescent liquid
Solubility: Soluble in water, in ethanol, in ethyl acetate & in methanol; practically insoluble in fatty oils and in liquid paraffin
Relative Density: About 1.10
Viscosity @ 25oC: ~ 400
Identification:
A) By IR: Should comply with the test for IR
B) Test for hydroxyl value: Should comply with the test for hydroxyl value
C) Test for saponification value: Should comply with the test for saponification value
D) Test for composition of fatty acids: Should comply with the test for composition of fatty acids
E) Chemical test: The solution should become blue
Acid Value (mgKOH/g): 2.0 Max
Hydroxyl Value (mgKOH/g): Between 96 and 108
Peroxide Value (meq/kg): 10 Max
Saponification Value (mgKOH/g): Between 40 and 50

Composition of fatty acid (fraction of the substance)
a) Caproic Acid: 1.00 % Max
b) Caprylic Acid: 10.00 % Max
c) Capric Acid: 10.00 % Max
d) Lauric Acid: Between 40.00 % and 60.00 %
e) Myristic Acid: Between 14.00 % and 25.00 %
f) Palmitic Acid: Between 7.00 % and 15.00 %
g) Stearic Acid: 7.00 % Max
h) Oleic Acid: 11.00 % Max
i) Linoleic Acid: 3.00 % Max

Ethylene Oxide & Dioxane
a) Ethylene Oxide: 1 ppm Max
b) Dioxane: 10 ppm Max
Water: Between 0 and 3.00 %
Total ash: Not more than 0.25 %