Carbomer 981 NF is a pharmaceutical-grade, high-molecular-weight crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer used as a functional excipient for rheology modification, viscosity control, suspension stabilization, bioadhesion and gel formation.
Carbomer 981 NF is classified as Carbomer Homopolymer Type A under the current USP/NF nomenclature. It is also associated with the Carbomers monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia, Indian Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Carbomer 981 NF is supplied as a white, fluffy powder with a slightly acetic odor. It is a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer that swells in polar solvents and develops viscosity after neutralization.
Compared with higher-viscosity carbomer grades such as Carbomer 980 NF and Carbomer 974P NF, Carbomer 981 NF provides a lower viscosity profile with 4,000–10,000 cP at 0.5% w/w under the specified test conditions.
Carbomer 981 NF is a Carbomer Homopolymer Type A polymer. It is produced using a cosolvent system of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane. The use of this cosolvent system distinguishes Carbomer 981 NF from ethyl-acetate-polymerized grades such as Carbomer 971P NF and 974P NF.
When dispersed and neutralized, Carbomer 981 NF provides rheological control and can form clear gels and stable pharmaceutical suspensions. It is also recognized for bioadhesive and mucoadhesive functionality.
Carbomer 981 NF can be considered for pharmaceutical formulations including:
Lubrizol's pharmaceutical materials identify Carbopol® 981 NF for topical applications including lotions, gels and bioadhesive systems, while pharmaceutical excipient documentation also identifies it for topical and ophthalmic drug-delivery applications.
Carbomer 981 NF provides long-flow rheology and can be used in topical pharmaceutical formulations requiring controlled viscosity, gel formation and suspension stabilization.
Its functional profile makes it suitable for formulation systems such as topical gels, lotions, creams and bioadhesive preparations, depending on the formulation design and regulatory requirements.
Carbomer 981 NF can provide bioadhesive and mucoadhesive properties that support prolonged interaction between a formulation and biological surfaces. This makes the excipient useful for pharmaceutical formulation strategies where residence time and localized delivery are important.
Pharmaceutical-grade Carbomer 981 NF is evaluated using identification, carboxylic acid content, viscosity, loss on drying, residual solvent, benzene, residual monomer and sulphated ash testing.
The published Carbopol® 981 NF specification includes:
Swapnroop supports pharmaceutical formulation and manufacturing requirements for Carbomer 981 NF, providing specification-focused product information and relevant technical documentation for pharmaceutical excipient applications.
Carbomer 981 NF can be positioned for pharmaceutical customers seeking a pharmaceutical-grade carbomer for topical gels, lotions, bioadhesive systems, rheology modification and other semisolid formulation applications.
Applicable grade, specification, regulatory documentation and batch-specific quality requirements should be confirmed before commercial formulation use.
Carbomer 981 NF should be stored in tightly closed packaging and protected from excessive moisture, contamination and unsuitable environmental conditions.
Packaging configurations can be selected according to laboratory, formulation-development, commercial manufacturing and bulk pharmaceutical requirements.
Depending on the applicable supply arrangement, product documentation may include:
Carbomer 981 NF is suitable for pharmaceutical formulations requiring controlled viscosity, rheology modification, suspension stabilization, gel formation, bioadhesion and mucoadhesion. Its lower-viscosity profile compared with high-viscosity Carbomer grades makes it particularly useful for topical and semisolid formulation systems.
Swapnroop supports pharmaceutical customers with specification-focused Carbomer 981 NF supply, relevant technical documentation and product information for formulation development and pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline powder |