The full name of PVP is polyvinylpyrrolidone, which is produced by the polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP). It is a non-ionic polymer compound.
PVP was 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. It has applications in many fields such as , daily chemicals and so on.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K series is the most commonly used subcategory in the PVP family. The core difference lies in the K value (which characterizes the molecular weight size) – the higher the K value, the larger the molecular weight, and the corresponding physical and chemical properties such as viscosity, film-forming property, and adhesion are significantly different, which in turn determines different application scenarios.
PVP K series has different Kvalue including PVP K12, PVP K15, PVP K17, PVP K25, PVP K30, PVP K60, PVP K90. They can be used for different fields based on different K-value.
Product Specifications:
| TYPE | PVP K12 | PVP K15 | PVP K17 | PVP K25 | PVP K30 | PVP K60 | PVP K90 | |
| Appearance | White powder | |||||||
| K Value | 10.2-13.8 | 12.75-17.25 | 15.3-18.36 | 22.5-27.0 | 27-32.4 | 54-64.8 | 81-97.2 | |
| NVP singel impurity (impurity A) | (CP2005/USP26) %max | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| (USP31/EP6/BP2007) ppm max | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Water % max | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
| Content % min | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | |
| pH (5% aqueous solution) | 3.0-5.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 4.0-7.0 | 4.0-7.0 | |
| Sulfate ash% max | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Nitrogen content﹪ | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | 11.5-12.8 | |
| 2-P content % max | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| Aldehyde ppm max | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |
| Heavy metal ppm max | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Hydrazine ppm max | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Hydrogen peroxide ppm max | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
The core applications of the PVP K series are centered around the performance differences determined by its K value (molecular weight). The low K value focuses on “solubicity and penetration”, the medium K value emphasizes “universal compatibility”, the high K value emphasizes “strong film formation, high viscosity, and controlled release”, and the ultra-high molecular weight K value serves “special industrial and long-lasting scenarios”. Covering multiple fields such as medicine, cosmetics, food, and industry.
It is used for the molding and stability improvement of preparations, such as tablet/capsule binders. It is used for optimizing the solubility and bioavailability of drugs as a solubilizer/penetration promoter. Used for disinfection and medical materials, as a complexing agent for disinfectant preparations: PVP K30 (core model), it forms povidone-iodine (PVP-I) with iodine, reducing the irritation of iodine and enhancing its stability, and is used for skin, mucous membrane and wound disinfection.
PVP focuses on “film-forming, moisturizing and enhancing activity” in the cosmetics field and can be used in hair care products such as styling agents, conditioners and hair masks. As a moisturizer and conditioner, it can improve dry and frizzy hair and enhance its smoothness. It can also be used for skin care, for moisturizing and enhancing vitality, as well as for shaping creams/masks.
In industry feild, PVP also has extensive applications. For example, textile printing and dyeing, batteries, glue sticks, etc. Based on its properties, PVP K30 and PVP K90 are the most popular products.
The essence of the application of the PVP K series is “performance adaptation scenarios” : Low K values (K12, K15) address the demands of “solubilization and penetration”, medium K values (K25, K30) cover the core scenarios of “general bonding, dispersion and stability”, and high K values (K60, K90) meet the requirements of “strong film formation and high viscosity”. Ultra-high molecular weight K value (K120) serves “controlled-release, industrial extreme environments”. The core advantages of its wide cross-industry application are: good water solubility, excellent biocompatibility (pharmaceutical/food grade), and its performance can be precisely regulated by the K value, making it an indispensable functional material in multiple fields.
