Hydrophilic Monomers for High-Performance, Flexible Polymer Design

Evonik’s VISIOMER® MPEG Specialty Methacrylates are hydrophilic specialty monomers designed for advanced polymer formulations. Available in aqueous solutions and now also as a pure, water-free liquid (VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA), they offer excellent solubility, low color, and high conversion rates. These monomers are ideal for use as comonomers, polymerizable surfactants, and flexibilizing agents. VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA enhances freeze-thaw stability and can reduce the need for additional dispersants. With around 12 EO units, it enables precise control in radical polymerization. Researchers benefit from its versatility in applications ranging from emulsion polymers to water treatment.

Hydrophilic VISIOMER® MPEG Grades for Smart Polymer Design

Evonik offers a wide range of Specialty Methacrylates. Among these is the class of hydrophilic VISIOMER® MPEG Methacrylates (MPEG MAs) such as VISIOMER® MPEG 750 MA W, VISIOMER® MPEG 1005 MA W, VISIOMER® MPEG 2005 MA W and VISIOMER® MPEG5005 MA W which are offered in aqueous solutions.

A new addition to this class of monomer is VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA, a pure, water-free and easy-to-handle Methoxy Polyethyleneglycol Methacrylate monomer in liquid form. VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA is water soluble and contains approximately 12 ethylene oxide (EO) units in the chain.

Application Areas

Evonik’s VISIOMER® MPEG Specialty Methacrylates are ideal hydrophilic comonomers for advanced polymer formulations. They are used in emulsion polymers, superplasticizers, and functional polymers for paper and water treatment, as well as in the production of emulsifiers and thickeners. These monomers offer key advantages such as low OH numbers (enabling high conversion rates), low color, low crosslinker content, and are label-free.

VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA, a water-soluble, liquid monomer with approx. 12 EO units, is especially suited for polymeric dispersants, reactive pigment dispersants, reactive resins, and radical polymerization. It also functions as an emulsifier in formulations, supporting efficient and flexible polymer design.

Thanks to their low glass transition temperature (Tg), VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA and VISIOMER® MPEG 750 MA W are excellent choices as flexibilizing agents in polymer formulations. Both monomers enhance the freeze-thaw stability of polymer dispersions, making them ideal for demanding applications where durability and flexibility are key. Their hydrophilic nature and compatibility with radical polymerization support efficient and stable formulation design.

VISIOMER® MPEG 500 MA is a highly effective polymerizable surfactant for use in secondary dispersions and solution-polymerized resins. It improves the dispersibility of polymers in water, enabling more stable and efficient formulations.

In certain cases, it can even eliminate the need for additional dispersing agents, simplifying the formulation process. Its water solubility and reactive structure make it ideal for radical polymerization and advanced polymer design.