Polyethyleneimine: EPOMIN™ Polyethyleneimine (PEI)

Basic Information

Polyethyleneimine (EPOMIN™) is a water-soluble polymer made by the polymerization of ethyleneimine. EPOMIN™ is not an entirely linear polymer; it has a highly-branched structure that contains primary, secondary, and tertiary amines. Its features are listed below.

• It is the highest cation-dense polymer in existence.
• It is a very high reactive polymer.
• It is a water-soluble polymer.

Manufacturing Method

Product Details

There are eight types of EPOMIN™ with different molecular weights (including at developmental stage). , each with a different molecular weight. Only high molecular weight types are diluted in water.

Item Number		SP-003	SP-006	SP-012	SP-018	SP-200	HM-2000	P-1050	P-3000*
Molecular Weight		300	600	1,200	1,800	10,000	30,000	70,000	100,000
Product Specifications	Resin Content (wt%)	>98	>98	>98	>98	>98	93 – 95	50±2	35±1
	Viscosity (mPa·s at 25°C)	200 – 500	500 – 2,500	3,500 – 7,500	8,500 – 15,000	40,000 – 150,000	5,000～ 15,000 (50% aqueous solution)	10,000 – 20,000	1,300 – 2,600
	pH (5% aqueous solution)	10～12
	Appearance	Pale yellow, transparent liquid						Transparent, viscous liquid

Modified Polyethyleneimine

Features and Properties

High adhesion and absorption

The amino group forms hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl group, ionic bonds with carboxyl group, and covalent bonds with the aldehyde group and ketone group. EPOMIN™ also has polar group (amino group) and hydrophobic group (ethylene group) in its structure, which and enhances its bonding force with materials of different polarities. These comprehensive bonding forces of EPOMIN™ are utilized in fields such as adhesion, ink, paint, and pressure-sensitive adhesive agents.

High cationicity

EPOMIN™ exists as polycation in water, and it neutralizes and adsorbs all types of anionic materials. EPOMIN™ also chelates heavy metal ions. This highly cationic property of EPOMIN™ is utilized in fields such as paper manufacturing, water treatment, plating bath agents, dispersants, etc.

Highly Reactive

Because of its reactive primary and secondary amino group, EPOMIN™ easily reacts with epoxy, aldehyde, isocyanate compounds, and acid gases.This highly reactive property of EPOMIN™ is utilized in the modification of epoxy resins, aldehyde adsorbents and dye-fixing agents.

Examples of Applications

Field	Applications	Recommended Products	Features
Paper Making and Processing	Neutral sizing agents for paper making chemicals	P-1050	Neutralization and fixing of anion charging material, Yield-improving agent, Pitch controller, White water purification, Promotes the dispersion and fixing of ketene dimmers
Adhesives	Pressure sensitive adhesive	SP-200 P-1050	Formulation in pressure sensitive adhesives to improving the cohesive force (adhesive retention power)
	PVC sol adhesive	SP-018 SP-200	Formulation in PVC to improve adhesion to base materials
	Water-based adhesive	SP-200 P-1050	Formulation in EVA, poly vinyl acetate, PVA, and acrylic adhesives to improve adhesion
	Anchor coating agent for extrusion laminate	P-1050	Improves adhesion of PE extrusion laminate/PET film, paper, OPP
	Anchor coating agent for gas barriers	P-1050	Improves adhesion of PVA, EVOH/olefin film
	Release agent	RP-20	Rear-side processing of various tapes
Paint and Ink	Alcohol-based ink for film (Polyvinyl butyral-based ink)	SP-200	Formulation in ink to improve adhesion with film
	Water-based paint and ink (Acrylic-based emulsion)	SP-012 SP-018	Formulation in acrylic-based emulsion to be quick-drying, adhesive, and water resistant
Textiles	Fixing agent	P-1050	Improves washing fastness and dyeing affinity
	Functional textiles	P-1050	Eliminates odors such as from tobacco, etc. in textiles
	Tire cord	P-1050	Improves the adhesion of various cords/rubber
	Sizing agent for glass fibers	P-1050	Lubricates glass fibers
	Fire retardant	P-1050	Fixes phosphorus-based fire retardant
Water Purification	Liquid clarifier	P-1050	Detoxifies aldehyde water, Removes bleaching chlorine
	Coagulant	P-1050	Neutralizes surface charges, easily flocculates and separates between particles, improves sludge dehydration efficiency, Destroys emulsion
	Separation agent for bacterial cell flocculation	P-1050	Neutralizes surface charges in bacterial cells, flocculates and separates bacterial cells
	Chelating agent	P-1050	Removes heavy metal ions
Gas Purification	Gas scavenger	P-1050	Supported by filters to absorb CO2, NOx, SOx, CI2, and aldehydes in gas
Distributed field	Dispersant	SP-012	Stably disperses ceramics, carbon black, coal, cement, metal powder, pigment, etc., and gives adhesion to base materials
Plating and Metal Surface Treatment	Metal plating bath agent Electroless plating solution	SP-006	Provides luster to and smoothens Zn plating
	Corrosion inhibitor for acid pickling Primary rust inhibitor	P-1050	Adsorbs metals, and inhibits acid corrosion of the metal matrix
Biotechnology	Immobilized enzyme, Microorganism immobilizing carrier	P-1050	Immobilizes enzymes to inactive base materials, and used in bioprocesses; Immobilizes bacterial cells to inactive base materials, and used in cleansing water
Petroleum	Petroleum emulsion breaker Fluid loss agent	P-1050	Neutralizes surface charges, and flocculates and separates between particles; Fluid loss agent for cement slurry used in wells
Antibacterial and Antiseptic	Antibacterial and bactericidal polymer	P-1050	Makes Ag and Cu chelated complex that shows an antibacterial effect
	Wood preservative, Cut flowers preservative	SP-018	Makes Cu chelated complex that penetrates into wood and retains metals
Other	Foam fire retardant	P-1050	Improves foam retention, making it effective for use in oil fires
	Microencapsulating agent	P-1050	Uses its high reactivity to form a microencapsulated coating
	Electronic and conductive material	SP Series P-1050	Polishing agent for solid electrolytes and semiconductors, Resist and patterning agent, Resist cleaning

Catalog

Precautions

Food Products

◆FDA publication circumstance of Polyethyleneimine
Polyethyleneimine having CAS No.9002-98-6 is published by the following 1), 2) and 3).
In addition, polyethyleneimine having CAS No.68130-97-2 is published by the following short-term work of 4).

1）Adhesives

Part 175 (Indirect food additives: Adhesive agents and coating components)

• 175.105: Adhesive agents (Lamination and sealing used in food packaging)
• 175.320: Resin coatings and polymer coatings for polyolefin films

2）Paperboard

Part 176 (Indirect food additives: Paper and paperboard components)

• 176.170: Components of paper and paperboard that have contact with aqueous and fatty food products (usage amount is 5 wt% max.)
• 176.180: Components of paper and paperboard that have contact with dry food products (usage amount is 5 wt% max.)

3）Food Packaging

Part 177 (Indirect food additives: Polymers)

• 177.1200: Food packaging cellophane (polyethyleneimine is recognized as a component of cellophane)
• 177.1400: Water-insoluble hydroxyethyl cellulose film (polyethyleneimine is recognized as a component of hydroxyethyl cellulose film)

4）Enzymes

Part 173 (Secondary direct food additives permitted in food for human consumption)

• 173.357: Fixing agents in the immobilization of enzyme preparations

Handling and Storage Precautions

1) Storage Stability

(SP Series, HM-2000)

• This product will keep stable for about one year when stored in a cool and dark place. However, if the product comes into contact with the air (oxygen), its quality may deteriorate such as coloring occurring or film forming on the surface.
• Please take care when storing the product, as it is highly hygroscopic, and absorbs carbon dioxide gas in the air.

（P-1050, P-3000）

• This product will keep stable for about one year when stored in a cool and dark place. However, if the product comes into contact with the air (oxygen), its quality may deteriorate such as coloring occurring.
• Please take care when storing the product, as it absorbs carbon dioxide gas in the air.

2) Heating of Containers

• The cans and drums used by Nippon Shokubai to ship EPOMIN™ have a synthetic resin coating. This coating film may peel off and the product may become colored if the containers are heated to high temperatures (minimum of 80°C) for a long period.
• If heating the product containers, please use warm water at a maximum temperature of 80°C.

3) Applicable Materials

■ Suitable materials

• Stainless steel
• Synthetic resin (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.)

■ Unsuitable materials

• Iron materials such as soft iron (coloring due to rust)
  Particularly when in aqueous solutions, the iron rust causes EPOMIN™ to harden.
• Copper and copper-containing alloys such as brass (reaction to EPOMIN™ generates blue-green colored complex salt)

4) Storage

• Please avoid storing the product under the condition of direct sunlight and rain.
• Please store the product in places with impermeable floor surfaces.
• Please reseal and store the product after use.
• Please try to store the product in a cool and dark place.