Surfactants are a primary component of cleaning detergents. The word surfactant means surface active agent. As the name implies, surfactants stir up activity on the surface you are cleaning to help trap dirt and remove it from the surface.
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Surfactants have a hydrophobic (water-hating) tail and a hydrophilic (water-loving) head. The hydrophobic tail of each surfactant surrounds soils. The hydrophilic head is surrounded by water.
When there are a sufficient amount of surfactant molecules present in a solution they combine together to form structures called micelles. As the micelle forms, the surfactant heads position themselves so they are exposed to water, while the tails are grouped together in the center of the structure protected from water.
The micelles work as a unit to remove soils. The hydrophobic tails are attracted to soils and surround them, while the hydrophilic heads pull the surrounded soils off the surface and into the cleaning solution. Then the micelles reform with the tails suspending the soil in the center of the structure.
The hydrophilic head of each surfactant is electrically charged. The charge can be negative, positive, or neutral. Depending on the charge of the hydrophilic head, the surfactant is classified as anionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric.
Anionic surfactants have a negative charge on their hydrophilic end. The negative charge helps the surfactant molecules lift and suspend soils in micelles. Because they are able to attack a broad range of soils, anionic surfactants are used frequently in soaps and detergents. Anionic surfactants create a lot of foam when mixed. While anionic surfactants are excellent for lifting and suspending particulate soils, they are not as good at emulsifying oily soils.
Sulfates, sulfonates, and gluconates are examples of anionic surfactants.
Nonionic surfactants are neutral, they do not have any charge on their hydrophilic end. Nonionic surfactants are very good at emulsifying oils and are better than anionic surfactants at removing organic soils. The two are frequently used together to create dual-action, multi-purpose cleaners that can not only lift and suspend particulate soils, but also emulsify oily soils.
Certain nonionic surfactants can be non-foaming or low-foaming. This makes them a good choice as an ingredient in low-foaming detergents.
Nonionic surfactants have a unique property called a cloud point. The cloud point is the temperature at which the nonionic surfactant begins to separate from the cleaning solution, called phase separation. When this occurs, the cleaning solution becomes cloudy. This is considered the temperature for optimal detergency. For low foaming cleaners, optimal detergency is at the cloud point; for foaming cleaners optimal detergency is either just below the cloud point or at the start of the cloud point. The agitation of low foaming cleaners is sufficient to prevent phase separation.
The temperature of the cloud point depends upon the ratio of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions of the nonionic surfactant. Some cloud points are at room temperature while others are very high. Some nonionic surfactants don't have a cloud point because they have a very high ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic moieties.
Examples of some common nonionic surfactants include cocamide, ethoxylates, and alkoxylates.
Cationic surfactants have a positive charge on their hydrophilic end. The positive charge makes them useful in anti-static products, like fabric softeners. Cationic surfactants can also serve as antimicrobial agents, so they are often used in disinfectants.
Cationic surfactants cannot be used with anionic surfactants. If positively charged cationic surfactants are mixed with negatively charged anionic surfactants, they will fall out of solution and no longer be effective. Cationic and nonionic surfactants, however, are compatible.
Examples of some common cationic surfactants include alkyl ammonium chlorides.
Amphoteric surfactants have a dual charge on their hydrophilic end, both positive and negative. The dual charges cancel each other out creating a net charge of zero, referred to as zwitterionic. The pH of any given solution will determine how the amphoteric surfactants react. In acidic solutions, the amphoteric surfactants become positively charged and behave similarly to cationic surfactants. In alkaline solutions, they develop a negative charge, similar to anionic surfactants.
Amphoteric surfactants are often used in personal care products such as shampoos and cosmetics. Examples of some frequently used amphoteric surfactants are betaines and amino oxides.
Surfactants are a key ingredient in cleaning products. One thing that differentiates cleaning products is how they are made. Cleaners made from a single chemical, targeting a specific type of soil, are referred to as commodity cleaners. Cleaners that are blends of various chemical ingredients designed to work together to remove various types of soils are referred to as formulated cleaners.
Formulated cleaners usually contain four basic elements: surfactants, hydrotropes, builders and carriers. Hydrotropes are chemicals that keep the otherwise incompatible surfactants and builders stable in a solution. The carrier is either water or a solvent. These elements work together to create mechanical actions to remove soils. The end result is a product that can attack dirt on surfaces with a variety of cleaning mechanisms including emulsifying, lifting, dispersing, sequestering, suspending and decomposing soils of various types. The type of surfactants used in a cleaning product largely determines which soils they will be best at removing.
IPC offers a full line of formulated cleaners that among the safest yet most effective solutions on the market. Request a free sample to test our products for your most challenging cleaning applications.
Tweet PrintNonionic surfactants are surfactants whose molecules contain ether groups that do not dissociate in aqueous solution as the main hydrophilic group, and their surface activity is reflected by neutral molecules. Nonionic surfactants have high surface activity, good solubilization, washing, antistatic, calcium soap dispersion and other properties, less irritation, and excellent wetting and washing functions. The applicable pH range is wider than that of general ionic surfactants, and it can also be used together with other ionic surfactants. Adding a small amount of nonionic surfactants to ionic surfactants can improve the surface activity of the system. Nonionic surfactants can be divided into polyoxyethylene type, polyol type, alkanolamide type, polyether type, amine oxide type, etc. according to the structure of the hydrophilic group.
The advantages of nonionic surfactants are: excellent wetting and washing functions, strong detergency, good emulsifying, penetrating properties, and foaming, foam stabilization, antistatic, sterilization and other effects; high stability, It is not ionized in aqueous solution, and is not affected by strong electrolytes, strong acids, strong alkalis, and calcium and magnesium ions in hard water; it has good compatibility with other types of surfactants, and is compatible with anionic and cationic surfactants. All are compatible; non-toxic, non-irritating, good biodegradability, is a new generation of "green products".
Most nonionic surfactants are in liquid and slurry state, and their solubility in water decreases with increasing temperature. Nonionic surfactants have good washing, dispersing, emulsifying, foaming, wetting, solubilizing, antistatic, level dyeing, anticorrosion, bactericidal and protective colloid properties. In textile, paper, food, plastic, leather, fur, glass, petroleum, chemical fiber, medicine, pesticide, paint, dye, fertilizer, film, photography, metal processing, mineral processing, building materials, environmental protection, cosmetics, fire protection and agriculture, etc.
Nonionic surfactants are a class of surfactants that were later used in production. However, since its application in the s, it has developed very rapidly and has been widely used, with many properties exceeding that of ionic surfactants. With the development of the petroleum industry, the sources of raw materials are abundant, the process is continuously improved, and the cost is decreasing day by day.
1. Biodegradability and Environmental Impact:
Nonionic surfactants are generally considered environmentally friendly due to their good biodegradability. This characteristic is crucial in modern industries that are increasingly focusing on sustainable and green practices. Their ability to break down into non-toxic byproducts helps in minimizing environmental impact.
2. Temperature Stability:
Nonionic surfactants often exhibit stability over a wide range of temperatures. This property is particularly advantageous in industrial processes where variations in temperature are common. It allows for consistent performance in diverse applications such as laundry detergents, where washing might occur at different temperatures.
3. Compatibility with Sensitive Materials:
Nonionic surfactants are known for their compatibility with sensitive materials. This makes them suitable for use in industries like pharmaceuticals, where compatibility with active ingredients is critical. The non-reactive nature of nonionic surfactants can prevent undesirable interactions with other substances.
4. Improved Emulsification:
Nonionic surfactants are effective emulsifiers, and their use is prevalent in formulations requiring stable emulsions. This property is valuable in industries like food and cosmetics, where emulsions are common in products such as creams, lotions, and food dressings.
5. Enhanced Stability in Hard Water:
The stability of nonionic surfactants in hard water, where calcium and magnesium ions are present, contributes to their effectiveness in various applications. This is particularly important in industries such as agriculture, where water hardness can vary, and in household cleaning products.
6. Versatility in Formulations:
Nonionic surfactants are often chosen for their versatility in formulations. Their compatibility with other types of surfactants, including anionic and cationic surfactants, allows for the creation of complex formulations tailored to specific applications, providing a wide range of performance attributes.
7. Petrochemical Industry Applications:
In addition to the historical development tied to the petroleum industry, nonionic surfactants continue to play a crucial role in various petrochemical processes. Their properties make them suitable for applications such as enhanced oil recovery, where they aid in the extraction of oil from reservoirs.
8. Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications:
Nonionic surfactants find applications in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, especially in drug delivery systems and formulations. Their non-toxic and biocompatible nature makes them suitable for use in products intended for human health.
These additional points highlight the versatility and importance of nonionic surfactants in diverse industries, showcasing their role in contributing to efficient and sustainable processes.