Polyvinylpyrrolidone

What is Polyvinylpyrrolidone?

Molecular Formula (Polyvinylpyrrolidone): C₆H₁₃NOP₂

Molecular Weight: 177.12 g/mol

Chemical Name: Povidone

CAS Number: 9003-39-8

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a polymer compound of vinyl pyrrolidone. Commercially, it is briefly referred to as PVP. It is a polyamide chemical with water-soluble properties.

There are 4 types of PVP. The K-value following PVP indicates the molecular weight of the chemical. For example, it is specified as PVP K 15, PVP K 30, PVP K 60, and PVP K 90. The molecular weight is in Daltons.

Due to its physiological structure, it is an inert chemical substance. It has the ability to form complexes with inorganic salts.

Average Molecular Weights are as follows;

Pvp K-15= 10000

Pvp K-30=40000

Pvp K-60=160000

Pvp K-90=360000

The K-value of PVP, i.e., its molecular weight, is an important factor in determining its various properties.

To reduce the usage amount of PVP per unit area, the PVP with the highest K-value should be used.

It is a Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Homopolymer.

Other Names are as follows;

• Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone
• Povidone
• PVP K-15
• PVP K-30
• PVP K-60
• PVP K-90
• Polymer
• Povidone-Iodine
• Povidone-Iodine

How is Polyvinylpyrrolidone Produced?

The polymerization method is applied to obtain raw Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). In the recovery method, it is extracted with dilute acetic acid and 50% Ethyl Alcohol.

It is extracted following the polymerization reaction of 1-Vinyl-2-Pyrrolidone, which has been purified with Hydrogen Peroxide, in the presence of ammonia and certain amines.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone?

Physically, it is in solid powder or crystal form.

It is a hygroscopic chemical substance.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a stable compound in terms of stability. However, it will precipitate if heated together with Sodium Metasilicate and Trisodium phosphate.

It is a chemical that exhibits a high level of compatibility with many other chemicals.

Melting Point is around 165 °C.

Boiling Point is around 90-93 °C.

The density of PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) is 1.69 g/cm³.

In terms of solubility, it has very high solubility in water and methyl alcohol.

PVP polymer dissolves easily in cold water, and its concentration is limited only by viscosity. It is possible to prepare free-flowing PVP K-30 polymer solutions in concentrations up to 60% with only a moderate effect on density. PVP K-60 and K-90 polymers are commercially available as 45% and 20% aqueous solutions, respectively.

What are the Usage Areas of Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP?

• The most common sectors for Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP usage are pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In the cosmetics sector, the PVP K-30 form is used. The purpose of using PVP K-30 in the cosmetics sector is to benefit from its dispersion agent properties and its ability to form a hard, yet bright and transparent film.
• In the adhesive sector, it is used in the manufacture of pressure-sensitive adhesives, as a binder for whetstones, and as a viscosity modifier in the production of high-temperature prepared ceramic-type products.
• It is an important component in hair sprays and lotions used for creating wavy hair. This synthetic polymer can be PVP K-30 or PVP K-90.
• It is used in the manufacture of adhesives used to bond rubber to metal.
• It is used as a protective colloid and leveling agent in digital printing coating materials, ballpoint inks, and emulsion polymers.
• In the electronics sector, it is used as a binder in cathode ray tubes, printed circuits, and storage batteries.
• It is used to disperse titanium dioxide used in the textile industry.
• In the coating industry, it is used in the manufacture of coating components used on the surfaces of aluminum, copper, zinc, and nickel metals.
• It is an excipient used to disperse and suspend drugs in pharmacological products.
• PVP K-30 is used in the production of medications in tablet form used to relieve common cold symptoms. In addition, it is used in this application together with Polyvinyl Alcohol as a binder and Xanthan Gum as a thickener.

What are the Other Usage Areas?

• Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP K is used as an adhesive chemical for transdermal systems.
• PVPs act as binders and protectors for enzymes.
• It is used as a binder in the production of tablets used in dishwashers.
• It is used as a binder for tablets and capsules.
• It is used as a binder and complexing agent in agricultural applications such as plant protection, seed treatment, and coating.
• It is used as a thickening agent in teeth whitening gels.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is used in the production of membranes for water and dialysis.
• It is used as a stabilizing agent in the production of all-inorganic solar cells.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone is used as a binder in toothpaste production. In addition, Sodium Alginate and Xanthan Gum are also examples of binders for this application.
• The PVP K-90 form is used as a binder in cement used in the construction industry.
• As a food additive, PVP is a stabilizer and its E number is E1201.
• PVP is used in personal care products such as shampoos and toothpastes, in paints, and in adhesives that need to be moistened, such as old-style postage stamps and envelopes.
• During the production of medical-grade PVP K-90, Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia are used. This ensures the removal of toxic content.
• In the cosmetics sector, PVP K-90 is used as a hair-holding agent. Its most significant feature here is creating a film layer on the hair, allowing for easy combing and preventing dust buildup.
• In wine production, it helps in clarifying the wine by ensuring the removal of sediments.
• It is used as a complexing agent in the manufacture of skin care products containing AHA-BHA and anti-aging products in the cosmetics industry.

What are the Factors Affecting Its Prices?

The price of Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP is directly connected to the prices of the chemical substances used in its production. As the prices of acetic acid, ethyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide used in its production increase, the price of Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP will also increase.

With the recent increase in the usage areas of this chemical, the price of Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP has been rising.

The prices will increase as the companies selling Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP move further away from the manufacturer of this chemical substance.