Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise focused on industry of fine chemicals research and develop, produce and sale. Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is located in Shan Dong Ji Nan China. we have the ability to provide you high quality products. More than 90 % of our products are exported to developed countries and regions such as north America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
Tween 20
1. Basic Information
Name: Tween 20
Alias: Polysorbate 20, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
CAS No.: 9005-64-5
Molecular Formula: C58H114O26 (average formula)
Molecular Weight: ~1227
Category: Nonionic surfactant, solubilizer, emulsifier, wetting agent, pharmaceutical excipient, cosmetic raw material, food additive
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Light yellow to amber transparent viscous oily liquid
- Odor: Faint mild fatty odor, almost odorless after dilution
- Solubility: Fully miscible with water, methanol, ethanol, acetone; soluble in ethyl acetate; insoluble in mineral oil, vegetable oil, aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Viscosity: High viscosity at room temperature
- Density (20°C): 1.09–1.11 g/cm3
- Refractive Index nD20: 1.468–1.472
- Flash Point: >150 °C
- Hygroscopy: Slightly hygroscopic
- Aqueous property: Neutral to weakly acidic aqueous solution, excellent surface activity, forms stable O/W emulsion
Chemical Properties
- Molecular structure: Ester of sorbitan monolaurate condensed with polyoxyethylene chains, contains multiple hydroxyl and ether groups
- Emulsifying performance: Excellent oil-in-water emulsifier, strong solubilizing capacity for essential oils, fat-soluble vitamins, flavors
- Hydrolysis characteristic: Stable under neutral/weak acid conditions; hydrolyze under strong alkali heating to produce lauric acid and polyoxyethylene sorbitol
- Photostability: Moderate light resistance; long-term strong light slowly darkens
- Thermal stability: Stable below 120°C; long-time high temperature oxidizes to produce peroxide impurities
- Compatibility: Compatible with anionic, cationic and other nonionic surfactants; incompatible with strong oxidants, concentrated strong alkali
3. Main Application Fields
1. Cosmetic Raw Material (Core Application)
Solubilizer for essence, sunscreen, facial cleanser, lotion and mask; improves uniform dispersion of oil phase components, enhances skin penetration of active ingredients
2. Pharmaceutical Excipient
Solubilizer for oral liquid, injection, external ointment; stabilizer for vaccine formulations, wetting agent for tablet coating
3. Food Additive
Emulsifier and anti-fog agent for beverages, baked food, candy; solubilizer for food flavors and fat-soluble food colorants
4. Laboratory Biological Reagent
Wetting agent and blocking agent for ELISA, cell culture, biochemical membrane experiment buffer
4. Quality Specification Table
| Test Item | Standard Specification |
| CAS Number | 9005-64-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C58H114O26 |
| Appearance | Amber transparent viscous liquid without suspended impurities |
| Hydroxyl Value | 96–108 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 40–50 mgKOH/g |
| Water Content (KF) | ≤0.30% |
| Acid Value | ≤2.0 mgKOH/g |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Packaging | Plastic sealed bottle for small packages; 200kg PE lined iron drum bulk |
| Storage Condition | Hermetically sealed cool dry warehouse below 25 °C, light shielding, isolated from oxidants and strong alkali |
| Transportation Requirement | Non-flammable surfactant liquid, general chemical transport standard |
| Shelf Life | 24 months under intact sealed packaging |
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