© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Name: Pluronic P123
Chemical Description: Triblock copolymer made from poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)
Common Uses: Structure-directing agent in nanomaterial synthesis, emulsifier in drug delivery, dispersant in industrial settings
Physical Appearance: White, waxy or granular solid
Typical Applications: Academic research, pharmaceutical studies, materials science, some bioengineering processes.
Odor: Mild, often described as faint or almost odorless.
Primary Hazards: Eye and skin irritation possible with prolonged or repeated exposure; inhaling the dust may irritate the respiratory system, though significant toxicity has not commonly been reported.
Chronic Exposure: Routine laboratory experience shows repeated exposure can cause mild dryness or irritation; accidental ingestion or high exposure hasn’t been linked to systemic toxicity.
Combustibility: Organic polymers like P123 can burn under sufficient heat, releasing potentially irritating fumes including oxides of carbon.
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation, ingestion.
Warning Symbols: Irritant label fits best, though it lacks acute toxicity signals.
Main Substance: Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)
CAS Number: 9003-11-6 (for the copolymer group)
Impurities: Commercial-grade P123 sometimes contains trace residuals from polymerization, such as low molecular weight glycols.
Purity: Research grade needs over 99% purity, checked by GPC or NMR.
Additional Chemicals: None purposely added, but watch for possible batch-to-batch variation, which can subtly shift solubility or processing needs.
Eye Contact: Promptly rinse eyes with lots of water, holding eyelids open. From experience, gentle flow helps more than a harsh stream. Seek further attention if irritation lingers past a few minutes.
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Lab coats don’t always prevent direct powder exposure.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, especially if discomfort or cough develops. Hospitalization rarely needed based on available studies and lab events.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth if swallowed, and seek help from a medical professional. Compounds like P123 don’t present significant acute toxicity, but accidental swallowing always requires proper care.
Extinguishing Agents: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide all control small fires involving organic polymers.
Sensitive Combustion Byproducts: Burning can yield carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and low levels of other organics. Proper ventilation remains key. Polymeric fires tend to smolder, making them tricky for enclosed spaces.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear against fumes during firefighting. Colleagues handling a fume hood fire recall the importance of gloves rated against heat.
Special Hazards: Dust can create combustible mixtures with air if allowed to accumulate. Routine cleaning of benchtops and minimizing powder spills significantly reduce risk.
Spill Cleanup: Scoop or sweep spilled powder gently to avoid dust. Wearing a dust mask and goggles cuts down irritation.
Containment: Use damp paper towels or wipes to limit airborne particles. Disposal in suitable, marked waste containers.
Decontamination: Wash exposed areas with water and mild soap. Common sense says check nearby surfaces, as static cling lets powder travel.
Environmental Caution: Do not wash large amounts down the drain since polymers can interfere with water treatment processes.
Practical Storage: Keep in tightly sealed containers, cool and dry cabinets or desiccators away from strong oxidizers. Humidity causes clumping, which frustrates accurate measurement during weighing.
Handling Tips: Open containers gently. Weighing boats or wide-mouth bottles minimize spills. Ventilated hoods recommended if handling larger batches.
Shelf Life: Proper storage extends usability for years; if the product clumps, effectiveness as a surfactant can drop.
Storage Hazards: Keep away from food, incompatible chemicals, and sources of ignition. Even though P123 has minimal odor, there’s a fine chemical smell after years of storage.
Workplace Controls: Laboratories favor fume hoods and local ventilation for polymer powders. Clean room protocols help reduce background dust.
Recommended PPE: Lab coats, gloves made from nitrile or latex, protective eyewear essential. Powdered polymer easily settles on hands and wrists, so handwashing before breaks is wise.
Respiratory Protection: Disposable masks filter out fine dust if ventilation lacks. Colleagues prone to asthma or allergies may want to double up on PPE.
Hygiene Practices: Regular surface cleaning, proper disposal of gloves, and no eating in the lab keep accidental ingestion risks low.
Physical State: Solid
Color: White or pale off-white
Melting Point: Softens between 50–60°C; not sharply defined
Solubility: Highly soluble in water; forms milky or clear solutions depending on concentration
Scent: Usually odorless, subtle chemical smell may appear over time
Vapor Pressure: Negligible due to solid state
Density: Approximately 1 g/cm³
Viscosity: Forms viscous gels in water at higher concentrations
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling. No hazardous decomposition under normal lab use.
Reactivity Profile: Non-reactive with glass, plastic, stainless steel. Strong oxidizers or acids can degrade polymer chains, sometimes producing unwanted byproducts.
Thermal Decomposition: Heating beyond 200°C produces smoke and changes physical properties, possibly breaking down into smaller molecules.
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong acids, bases, oxidizers.
Acute Toxicity: Pluronic P123 lacks significant acute toxicity in animal and cell testing. Oral and dermal LD50 generally high, meaning it takes a lot to cause harm.
Chronic Studies: Repeated low-level exposure has not produced observable long-term health effects in lab animals or staff. That said, dust can aggravate pre-existing skin or lung sensitivities.
Carcinogenicity: No known or suspected links to cancer; not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a cancer hazard.
Special Risks: In eye or mucous membrane contact, irritation is the most common effect. Ingestion and inhalation unlikely to cause systemic poisoning, especially in typical research settings.
Environmental Persistence: Like many nonionic surfactants, P123 gradually breaks down in the environment, albeit slowly under some conditions. It tends to resist rapid biodegradation.
Aquatic Impact: High concentrations interfere with aquatic microorganisms, affecting oxygen exchange and membrane permeability. Strong dilution in wastewater treatment helps, but accidental discharges should always be avoided.
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up significantly in food chains given large polymer size and low uptake rates in aquatic species.
Practical Steps: Responsible disposal and spill control prevent contamination and regulatory conflicts.
Waste Handling: Collect solid waste, unused product, contaminated lab gear in marked containers. Consult local rules on disposing of nonionic organic compounds.
Incineration: If allowed, waste incineration at a licensed site safely degrades polymer chains to basic gases.
Drain Disposal: Small, highly diluted amounts sometimes permitted for non-hazardous lab materials—local authorities must be consulted to avoid fines or environmental harm.
Reuse or Recycling: Reuse of once-opened material not generally recommended for pharmaceutical or precision nanomaterials applications, as properties shift with aging or contamination.
Shipping Classification: Non-hazardous for land, air, and sea transport under most regulatory schemes.
Packing: Strong, sealed bags or containers keep moisture out and dust in. Keep away from compatible food and reactive chemical shipments.
Labeling: Mark as laboratory chemical, not as hazardous freight.
Transport Limits: No legal restrictions observed for reasonable laboratory or research shipment volumes, in personal experience.
Chemical Inventory Listings: Registered in major regulatory chemical inventories including TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia).
Labelling: Most international regulations treat Pluronic P123 as a low-hazard material; labeled mainly for skin/eye irritation. No special restrictions seen outside environmental disposal standards.
Safety Rules: Laboratory rules require PPE, good ventilation, and safe waste handling consistent with prudent chemical practice. National guidelines reinforce these basic precautions.
Usage Restrictions: Not approved as a food or medical additive; limited to industrial, engineering, and research use.
