TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

TDS-237
Edition: September 16, 2009
Previous Editions: January, 2002 / July 10, 2008

Neutralizing Carbopol® and Pemulen™ Polymers in

Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Systems

Effect of pH on Viscosity Figure 1

Carbopol ®
and Pemulen™ polymers must be Carbopol® Polymers Viscosity vs. pH
neutralized in order to achieve maximum viscosity. (0.5 wt% TS Concentration)
Unneutralized dispersions have an approximate pH 60,000
range of 2.5-3.5 depending on the polymer
concentration. The unneutralized dispersions have 50,000
Carbopol® Ultrez 21
polymer
very low viscosities, especially Carbopol ETD and
Carbopol Ultrez polymers. Once a neutralizer is 40,000

Viscosity, mPa•s
added to the dispersion, thickening gradually occurs Carbopol® 980 polymer

Carbopol® Ultrez 10
as shown in Figure 1. Optimum viscosity is typically 30,000
polymer
®

achieved at a pH of 6.5-7.5. As demonstrated by the Carbopol Ultrez 20

polymer

graph, high viscosities can be achieved in pH ranges 20,000

of 5.0-9.0.
10,000

A frequently asked question is "What pH is correct for Carbopol® ETD 2050

polymer
my finished product?" The answer is that the best pH 0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
of the system should be determined by the pH
performance desired for the particular application. Viscosity Results: Brookf ield RVT, 20 rpm @ 25°C
The final pH should be consistent with desired
functional attributes of the targeted application.

The viscosity of Carbopol and Pemulen polymers will

begin to decrease at pH of 9.0 and higher. This is
caused by the dampening of the electrostatic
repulsion caused by the presence of excess
electrolytes. It is possible to achieve high viscosity
systems at pH values below 5 and above 9, but the
use level of the Carbopol and Pemulen polymer must
be increased to obtain these higher viscosity levels.

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 TDS-237
®
Neutralizing Carbopol and Pemulen™ Polymers in
Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Systems
Page 2 of 3

Figure 2 Figure 4
Schematic Depicting Molecule of Carbopol® Polymer Neutralization Ratio Chart
in Coiled State
Neutralization
Ratio Base/
Trade Name CTFA Name Manufacturer
Carbopol®
Polymer
Sodium
NaOH (18% ) 2.3/1.0
Hydroxide
Ammonia Ammonium
0.7/1.0
(28% ) Hydroxide
Potassium
KOH (18% ) 2.7/1.0
Hydroxide

L-Arginine Arginine Ajinomoto 4.5/1.0

AMP ® Ultra Aminomethyl

Dow 0.9/1.0
PC2000 Propanol
Tetrahydro-
Figure 3 Neutrol® TE xypropyl BASF 2.3/1.0
Diagram Depicting Molecule of Carbopol® Polymer Ethylenediamine
in Uncoiled Neutralized State
TEA (99% ) Triethanolamine 1.5/1.0
Na C Na
Na Tris Amino®
Na + C O Na Tromethamine Dow 3.3/1.0
C COO O O (40% )*
+ –
C Na
Na O O
COO – O Ethomeen® PEG-15
+ O O C Akzo 6.2/1.0
C COO – COO – C O C Na C-25 Cocamine
O O O O
COO – Na O Diisopropanol- Diisopropanol-
Na COO – O + COO – C O Dow 1.2/1.0
Na Na C O C amine amine
+ O O
C +
O Na Na
O Triisopropanol- Triisopropanol-
C O COO – O C Dow 1.5/1.0
O O
COO – C Na O Na crosslink amine amine
O
Na O
+
O
Na C O C *NOTE: The 40% solution should be made from Tris Amino crystals from the manufacturer.
+ O O Na Do not use the pre-dispersed solution from the manufacturer as it contains many impurities.
Na O C
+ O O
Na O Na
+

Thickening Mechanism
Carbopol and Pemulen polymers as supplied are dry,
tightly coiled acidic molecules. Once dispersed in
water, the molecules begin to hydrate and partially
uncoil. The most common way to achieve maximum
thickening from Carbopol and Pemulen polymers is by
converting the acidic Carbopol or Pemulen polymer to
a salt. This is easily achieved by neutralizing the
Carbopol or Pemulen polymer with a common base
such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or triethanolamine
(TEA).
Common Neutralizers
Figure 4 lists the most common neutralizers used,
the manufacturers of these neutralizers, and the
appropriate ratio to use (as compared to one part of
Carbopol or Pemulen polymers) to achieve exact
neutralization at a pH of 7.0. The chart is based on
Carbopol Ultrez 10 polymer, but is applicable to all
Carbopol and Pemulen polymers because they all
have the same equivalent weight of 76 ± 4.
 TDS-237
®
Neutralizing Carbopol and Pemulen™ Polymers in
Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Systems
Page 3 of 3

Figure 5
Recommended Neutralizers for Hydroalcoholic Systems

Up to % Alcohol Neutralizer

60% Triethanolamine

60% Tris Amino

80% AMP Ultra PC2000

90% Neutrol TE

90% Triisopropanolamine

Hydroalcoholic Thickening
Ethanol and isopropanol can be thickened with
Carbopol polymers. The critical factor is choosing the
correct neutralizer based on the amount of alcohol
that is to be gelled. If the wrong neutralizer is used,
the salt of the Carbopol polymer will precipitate out
because it is no longer soluble in the hydroalcoholic
blend. Figure 5 gives recommended neutralizers for
various alcohol levels.

For a complete guide to making Hand Sanitizing

gels, refer to TDS-255: “Formulating Hand Sanitizing
®
Gels with Carbopol Polymers”.