Get to know polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a nonionic polymer compound produced by the polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) under certain conditions. PVP comes in two different forms, liquid and solid, the most common being powder, aqueous solution and organic solution. PVP was first invented by BASF in 1938. Because it is a polymer that is physiologically similar to human plasma proteins, it was once used as a substitute for plasma during World War II. PVP has the advantages of excellent solubility, chemical stability, low toxicity, and film-forming properties. It has a high demand for applications as an auxiliary, additive, and auxiliary material. It is a widely used fine chemical product in medicine, textiles, chemicals, and beverages. , daily chemicals and other fields.

PVP can currently be divided into four types: industrial grade, cosmetic grade, food grade and pharmaceutical grade. The process difficulty, technical requirements and selling price are gradually increasing.

The main product varieties and specifications of PVP can be divided into viscosity grades according to molecular weight: K-15, K-30, K-60, and K-90. The K value is an important factor in determining various performances of PVP. The K value refers to a value calculated from the measured viscosity of a polymer dilute solution. It is related to the degree of polymerization or the size of the molecule. Generally speaking, the greater the K value, the greater the molecular weight, the greater the viscosity, and the stronger the adhesiveness. .

There are two main synthesis technologies for PVP monomer NVP: acetylene method and γ-butyrolactone method

The preparation of PVP includes the synthesis of monomer NVP and the synthesis of polymer PVP. The key technologies in the synthesis process of monomer NVP are monomer synthesis technology and monomer purification technology; while the key technologies in the synthesis process of polymer PVP are polymerization technology and drying technology.