Prepared by: Rica C.

Cadungog

Code/ Subject/Time: / Industrial Chemistry / 10:00 – 12:30

Surfactants

Objectives

To know what is surfactants and how it works and to determine the types/classification of
different surfactants and its uses/application.

Definition of Terms

1. Surfactant – short for “Surface active agent”. A molecule that reduces the surface
tension of water. It has a hydrophobic (non-polar, “fat-loving”) tail and a hydrophilic
(polar, “water-loving)) head. Works as a foaming agent, emulsifier and dispersant.
2. Micelle – a bubble-like arrangements. An aggregate of molecules forming a
colloidal particle.
3. Surface - the limit between a condensed phase and a gas phase.

Classification/Types of Surfactants

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants account for about 50 % of the world production. Most common type
of surfactant which contains organic tail with negative charged head and small positive
atom or molecule, like ammonium.

Anionic surfactants possess a negative charge on their hydrophilic end. This charge helps
the surfactant molecules to interact with both the carpet fibers and soil particles, lifting
and suspending soils in “bubble-like” arrangements called micelles.

Generally, they make a lot of foam when agitated. Also, they tend to be flaky or powdery
when dry, not sticky like other surfactants.

When reading the ingredients list on your cleaning products, you can identify anionic
surfactants as those that have the following in their names:

• Sodium
 • Ammonium

• Magnesium

• Sulfate - They include, (fatty acid) soaps, lauryl sulfate (foaming agent), di-alkyl
sulfosuccinate (wetting agent), lignosulfonates (dispersants) etc.
• Sulfonate - alkylbenzene sulfonates (detergents) etc

• Gluconate

Use

1. Use in low moisture carpet cleaners, like traditional shampoos and encapsulation
products.

Nonionic Surfactants

Do not ionize in aqueous solution, because their hydrophilic group is of a nondissociable

type, such as alcohol, phenol, ether, ester, or amide. Nonionic surfactant molecules are
produced by first converting the hydrocarbon to an alcohol and then reacting the fatty
alcohol with ethylene oxide.

Nonionic surfactants account for about 45% of the overall industrial production. They also
found in many cleaning products, including carpet products. Some nonionics are high
foamers (like anionics), while others do not generate much foam. Nonionics are thick
liquids or syrups that are sticky or “gooey” to the touch.

Nonionic surfactants include:

• Ethoxylates

• Alkoxylates

• Cocamide

Uses

1. Use as oily soil emulsifiers

 2. When left in the carpet, nonionic surfactants are the primary contributors to rapid
resoiling.
3. Good detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers
4. Some categories exhibit a very low toxicity level and are used in pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics and food products.

Cationic Surfactants

It contains organic tail with a positive charge head and a small negative atom or molecule,
like chloride. Cationic surfactants are less common in cleaners, and almost always absent
from carpet products. Cationics have positively charged ends, which makes them ideal in
antistatic formulas like fabric softeners and automobile “cheater waxes.” Also, cationic
surfactants have antimicrobial characteristics, and they are found in hard-surface
disinfectants and cleaners.

Formulas containing cationic surfactants cannot be mixed with those containing

oppositely charged anionic surfactants. The molecules would interact with each other,
producing a gooey mess that drops out of solution.

Cationic surfactants account for only 5-6% of the total surfactant production. On the other
hand, many cationic surfactants are bactericides.

When reading the ingredients list, look for the words “chloride” or “bromide” (as in
alkylbenzene ammonium chloride) to identify cationics.

Uses

1. They are used to clean and aseptize surgery hardware

2. To formulate heavy duty desinfectants for domestic and hospital use
3. To sterilize food bottle or containers, particularly in the dairy and beverage
industries.

Amphoteric surfactants

These unique molecules possess both a positive and a negative charge on their
hydrophilic end, giving them a net charge of zero. They can serve as “coupling agents,”
which hold the surfactants, solvents and inorganic salt components of a formula together.
Amphoteric surfactants have little utility on their own, but work extremely well in
enhancing the cleaning effect of both anionic and nonionic surfactants.

Other examples of amphoterics are betaines and amine oxides.

RAW MATERIALS FOR SURFACTANTS

1. Natural oil and fats; triglycerides

2. Other natural substances

 Wood oils

 Lignin and derivatives

3. Raw materials from petroleum

4. Intermediate chemicals

Other Application of Surfactants

 Used in many cleaning and hygienic products like floor cleaner, detergents, dish
washer
 Surfactant is found in engine degreasers, floor cleaners, car wash soaps,
toothpastes, shampoos, shaving foams.
 Work as a foaming agent which can form foam in any substances easily. So, it is
used in many cosmetic products where cleansing is required like soaps, shampoos
etc.
 Used as an antiseptic in many personal sanitary products. It is also used in paints,
adhesives, inks, emulsion etc.