Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Hydrochloride (PHMB)

PHMB Chemical Structure

I. Product Information

Product Name Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Hydrochloride (PHMB)
Synonyms PHMB / Polyhexanide
Other Names Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (PAPB)
IUPAC Name poly(iminoimidocarbonyl) iminohexamethylene hydrochloride
INCI Name polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB)
Molecular Formula (C₈H₁₇N₅)ₙ·xHCl, n=12～16
Molecular Weight 1100～1800 (Average)
CAS No. 32289-58-0 (US) / 27083-27-8 (EU)
EC Number 608-723-9 / 27083-27-8

II. Product Properties

Property Description
Appearance White powder (pure); colorless to pale yellow translucent liquid (20% aqueous solution)
Antimicrobial Spectrum Broad-spectrum efficacy against Gram-positive/negative bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses, and spores
Mechanism ① Cationic polymer adsorbs anionic bacteria, inhibiting cell division; ② Disrupts cell membrane forming transmembrane pores; ③ Forms film blocking microbial respiration
Stability Stable at pH 4-10; heat stable; non-volatile; thermally durable active component
Solubility Highly soluble in water; compatible with non-ionic surfactants, glycols, EDTA, and strong acids
Physical & Chemical Data:
  • Degree of Polymerization: n=12～16
  • Solid Content: 20% aqueous solution (standard commercial grade)
  • Boiling Point: 102～103℃ (20% solution)
  • Density: 1.040～1.045 g/mL (20℃, 20% solution)
  • Absorbance: ≥400 at 237nm; ratio A237/A222: 1.2～1.6
  • pH: 6.5～8.5 (1% solution) / 4.0～6.0 (20% solution)
  • Ionic Character: Cationic (avoid anionic systems)

III. Quality Specifications

Test Item Specification Method
Appearance White powder (pure) / Colorless to pale yellow translucent liquid (20% solution) Visual
Solid Content 20.0%±1.0% (aqueous solution) Gravimetric
pH Value 4.0～6.0 (20% solution) / 6.5～8.5 (1% solution) pH Meter
Avg. Molecular Weight 1100～1800 GPC
Polymerization Degree n=12～16 Viscometry
Absorbance (237nm) ≥400 UV Spectrophotometry
Absorbance Ratio (237/222nm) 1.2～1.6 UV Spectrophotometry
Heavy Metals (as Pb) ≤0.002% Colorimetric
Arsenic (As) ≤0.0001% AAS
Identification IR spectrum matches reference standard FTIR
Note: Custom concentrations (20%, 25%, 50%) and molecular weight grades available upon request.

IV. Antimicrobial Performance (MIC & Bactericidal Data)

Microorganism MIC (mg/L) Microorganism Bactericidal Effect Conc. (%) Time (min)
Staphylococcus aureus 1 S. aureus Kill 0.025 >1
E. coli O157:H7 5 E. coli Kill 0.2 >1
Bacillus spp. 5 B. subtilis spores Kill 0.05 >1
Salmonella typhimurium 8 S. typhimurium Kill 0.04 -
Proteus vulgaris 200 P. aeruginosa Kill 0.2 >3
P. putida 25 Lactobacillus homohiochii (4 strains) Kill 0.002～0.008 >10
Enterococcus faecalis 25 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kill 1.0 >3
Streptococcus lactis 25 Aspergillus niger Kill 2.0 >60
Legionella pneumophila 200 B. subtilis spores Kill 0.04 >2.5
P. aeruginosa 100 B. cereus spores Kill 0.08 >60
Vibrio cholerae 55 B. megaterium Kill 0.04 >2.5
Enterobacter cloacae 20 B. licheniformis spores Kill 0.04 30
A. niger 750 B. firmus spores Kill 0.08 20
S. cerevisiae 100 B. polymyxa spores Kill 0.08 >60
Candida albicans 300 B. circulans spores Kill 0.04 30
B. pumilus spores Kill 0.08 20
B. coagulans spores Kill 0.08 20
Note: PHMB shows exceptional sporicidal activity (0.04-0.08% for 30-60 min), distinguishing it from chlorhexidine.

V. Applications

1. Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
  • Contact lens care: disinfection, moisturizing, storage (e.g., Bausch & Lomb Boston Advanced)
  • Ophthalmic solutions: surgical disinfection, Acanthamoeba keratitis treatment
  • Surgical disinfection: skin and instrument sterilization
  • Wound care: topical ointments, wound disinfectants
2. Cosmetics & Personal Care
  • Skincare: creams, lotions, cleansers
  • Oral care: mouthwash (max 0.3%)
  • Wet wipes: disinfectant, baby wipes
  • Max. use level: 0.3% (PAPB, w/w); not for spray formulations
3. Textile Antimicrobial Treatment
  • Wool fabrics: citric acid crosslinking provides durability (25-50 washes)
  • Cotton/blends/synthetics: broad antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-dust mite
  • Padding method: 25-40g/L, 80-100% pickup, 120-130°C cure 10-20min
  • Exhaust method: 2.0-2.5%, 40-45°C, 10-30min
4. Industrial & Institutional
  • Hard surface disinfection: 0.1-0.2%
  • Hospitals/food plants/slaughterhouses/farms/water treatment: 0.01-0.1%
  • HVAC/fermentation equipment: 0.3-0.5%
  • Dairies/breweries/canning: 0.005-0.01%
  • Swimming pools: disinfection and algae control
5. Food Industry & Agriculture
  • Food processing equipment sanitation
  • Livestock facility disinfection

VI. Regulatory Compliance & Safety

Regulation Status
China Cosmetics Technical Safety Standard 2015: Max 0.3% PAPB; prohibited in spray products
EU SCCS Assessment SCCS/1581/16 (April 2017): 0.1% safe as preservative in all cosmetics (0.5% of 20% solution); not recommended for sprays
EU BPC Approval Approved 2016 for PT-2, PT-3, PT-4, PT-11; valid until July 1, 2027
US EPA/FDA Widely approved for contact lens care and medical device disinfection
Pending Applications 2017 submissions for PT-1, PT-5, PT-6, PT-9 under review
Toxicity Data:
Endpoint Data
Acute Oral LD₅₀ (Rat) 4000 mg/kg (Low toxicity)
21-Day Dermal (Rat, 250mg/kg) No irritation observed
Rainbow Trout LC₅₀ (96h) <1 mg/L
Bluegill LC₅₀ (96h) 0.28～0.9 mg/L
Daphnia EC₅₀ (48h) 0.18～0.45 mg/L
Skin Irritation Non-irritant
Sensitization Non-sensitizing
Precautions:
  • High concentrations may corrode copper and certain metals
  • Avoid anionic systems (limited compatibility with anionic surfactants)
  • Limited compatibility with strong alkalis, phosphates, and strong oxidizers

VII. Packaging & Storage

Packaging: 25kg/drum (20% solution) / 1kg/bottle; custom sizes available
Storage: Cool, dry place (≤25°C), sealed, away from light; avoid strong alkalis, phosphates, oxidizers, anionic surfactants
Shelf Life: 24 months (sealed)
Transport: General chemical; handle with care to prevent damage

VIII. Key Advantages

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