Polysorbate 85
Pharcos PS 85
Also known as: PEG-20 Sorbitan Trioleate | Tween 85 Equivalent
Pharcos PS 85 stands apart from the other Polysorbates. While PS 20/40/60/80 are highly water-soluble (HLB ~15), PS 85 is formulated with THREE oleic acid tails (Tri-oleate), dropping its HLB drastically to roughly 11.0. This makes it significantly more lipophilic (oil-loving). It is the premier choice for dispersing crude oil spills in marine environments, emulsifying solid paraffin waxes, and acting as a specialized coupling agent in heavy mineral oil systems.
Quick Information
- Product Line:
- Personal Care
- Category:
- Dispersants
- Grade:
- Liquid
- CAS Number:
- 9005-70-3
Key Applications
- Marine Oil Spill Dispersant
- Paraffin Wax Emulsifier
- Textile Fiber Lubricant
- W/O Co-emulsifier
How It Works
The Tri-oleate structure redefines the molecule's behavior.
Because three of the available hydroxyl groups on the sorbitan ring are esterified with massive, kinked oleic acid tails, the molecule is heavily weighted toward the oil phase. In oil-spill remediation, the three tails sink deeply into the thick crude oil slick. The 20-mole PEG headgroup remains in the cold ocean water. Gentle wave action is then enough to shatter the massive, cohesive oil slick into billions of microscopic droplets. Once dispersed, native marine oil-eating bacteria can rapidly consume the petroleum before it damages coastlines.
Technical Information
Common questions about Polysorbate 85
PS 80 has ONE oil-loving tail and is great at pulling small amounts of oil into water (solubilizing). PS 85 has THREE oil-loving tails and is great at attacking massive amounts of bulk oil or wax to break it apart (dispersing/emulsifying).
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