Skip to content
Product Line: Pharmaceutical Chemicals

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

CAS 9003-39-8

Molecular structure of Polyvinylpyrrolidone

CAS · 9003-39-8

01

Product Overview

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a high-purity pharmaceutical-excipients supplied for industrial and specialty chemical applications. Contact our team for specifications, packaging options and lead times.

02

Product Specifications

Appearance White or yellowish-white hygroscopic powder or flakes
Solubility Freely soluble in water, in ethanol (96 percent), methanol, very slightly soluble in acetone
Identification A To comply the test by IR
Identification B An orange-yellow precipitate is formed
Identification C A pale blue precipitate is formed
Identification D A deep red colour is produced
Identification E The substance dissolves
Appearance of solution Clear and coloration NMT B6, BY6 or R6
PH (in 5% solution) 3.0~5.0
Viscosity, as K-value 22.5~27.0
Aldehydes, as Acetaldehyde 500ppm max
Peroxides, as H₂O₂ 400ppm max
Hydrazine 1ppm max
Impurity A (1-Vinylpyrrolidin-2-one) 10ppm max
Impurity B (2-Pyrrolidone) 3.0% max
Lead 10ppm max
Water 5.0% max
Sulfated ash / Residue on ignition 0.1% max
Formic acid 0.5% max
Assay, as Nitrogen content 11.5~12.8%
Max. 100 aerobic plate count 10 CFU/g max
Max. 100 Mold and Yeast 10 CFU/g max
Microbiological status No Escherichia Coli/g No Pseudomonas aeruginosa/g No Salmonella/10g No Staphylococcus aureus/g
03

Applications

 

1. Pharmaceutical Industry

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is widely used as a multifunctional excipient in drug formulation:

Binder in tablet manufacturing for enhanced cohesion and stability.

Disintegrant to promote tablet dissolution and improve bioavailability.

Film-forming agent in coatings and drug delivery films.

Carrier in solid dispersions to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs.

Used in injectables and ophthalmic formulations due to its excellent biocompatibility and safety profile.

2. Cosmetics and Personal Care

PVP is extensively used in:

Hair sprays and styling gels for film-forming and fixative properties.

Skin creams and lotions as a stabilizer and viscosity enhancer.

Toothpastes and mouthwashes for its binding and film-forming actions.

3. Medical Applications

Used in wound dressings and antiseptic solutions (e.g., Povidone-Iodine) due to its non-toxic, water-soluble polymeric nature.

Acts as a plasma volume expander in emergency medicine under the trade name PVP-iodine.

4. Food Industry

Employed as a stabilizer and clarifying agent in beverages like wine and beer to remove polyphenols and prevent haze formation.

Recognized as a food additive (E1201) for use as a thickener and emulsifier.

5. Adhesives and Coatings

Used in water-based adhesives and coatings for paper, wood, and textiles.

Serves as a protective colloid in emulsion polymerization.

6. Textile and Printing

Aids in dye dispersion and fixation.

Used in ink formulations and paper coating applications for improved print quality.

7. Electronics and Industrial Uses

Utilized in photolithography and semiconductor fabrication.

Serves as a stabilizer for nanoparticle synthesis (e.g., silver or gold nanoparticles).

Functions as a lubricant in certain metalworking fluids.

04

Benefits

✅ Water Solubility and Biocompatibility

Highly soluble in water and safe for use in medical and food applications.

✅ Film-Forming and Binding Properties

Excellent adhesive and cohesive characteristics useful across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and coatings.

✅ Versatility in Molecular Weight Grades

Available in various grades (e.g., PVP K-12 to K-90), allowing fine-tuned performance depending on viscosity, solubility, and application needs.

✅ Non-toxic and Inert

Generally recognized as safe (GRAS), non-irritating, and chemically inert under many conditions.

✅ Stabilizing Agent

Prevents aggregation and degradation in colloidal systems, formulations, and emulsions.

05

Conclusion

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), CAS 9003-39-8, is a versatile and widely used synthetic polymer, known for its excellent water solubility, biocompatibility, and binding capabilities. From pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to food processing and nanotechnology, PVP plays a vital role as a stabilizer, binder, film-former, and dispersant. Its adaptability to different molecular weights and compatibility with diverse substances ensures its continued importance across multiple industries, supporting the formulation of safer, more effective, and better-performing products.

Previous

Coconut Oil Fatty Acid丨CAS 61788-47-4

Next

Ethyl Cellulose丨CAS 9004-57-3