Poloxamer

Poloxamers, also known by the trade name Pluronics[1], are the nonionic block copolymers composed of a central hydrophobic chain of polyoxypropylene (poly-propylene oxide) flanked by two hydrophilic chains of polyoxyethylene (poly-ethylene oxide). Because the lengths of the polymer blocks can be customized, many different poloxamers exist that have slightly different properties. These polymers are commonly named with the word Poloxamer followed by a number to indicate which polymer is being discussed (e.g. Poloxamer 407).

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Uses of poloxamers

Because of their amphiphilic structure, the polymers have surfactant properties that make them useful in industrial applications. Among other things, they can be used to increase the water solubility of hydrophobic, oily substances or otherwise increase the miscibility of two substances with different hydrophobicities. For this reason, these polymers are commonly used in industrial applications, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. They have also been used as model systems for drug delivery applications.

See also

• Video Poloxamer-188: A Revolutionary Approach to Healing Injury
• poloxamer 407