Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)

Properties and Applications

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also called polyvidone, is a water-soluble thermoplastic made from N-vinylpyrrolidone. It is soluble in water, methanol and ethanol as well as in many other polar solvents. The dry polymer is a light flaky hygroscopic powder that readily absorbs large amounts of water and humidity. In solution, it has excellent wetting and film forming properties and good adhesion to various substrates which makes it a good additive to coatings and adhesives. It also has good chelate / complex formation properties.

PVP is used for myriad of applications in many industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, coatings, adhesives, inks, textiles, and packaging. It functions as a binder, adhesion promoter, dispersion agent, viscosity modifier, anti-static agent, and sizing agent. Important technical applications include ink jet paper; hair gel and spray; lip sticks; anti-fogging and anti-fouling coatings; water-activated adhesives for stamps and envelops; ball-point and printer inks; pressure sensitive adhesives, hotmelts, and glue sticks.

PVP is sometimes copolymerized with polyvinylacetate. These grades have a low glass transition temperature aroud 100°C and can be used in hotmelts and pressure sensitive adhesives. They are soluble in water and show good adhesion to many substrates (when remoistened) including glass, metals, plastic and paper. Important applications include labels, envelopes, stamps, tapes and plasters.

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