Q. What are the different types of surfactants?
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A. Anionic surfactants &#; These have a negatively charged end of the molecule that gives it the hydrophilic part of the molecule. These negatively charged parts of the molecules are usually sulfonates, sulfates, or carboxylates that are usually neutralized by positively charged metal cations such as sodium or potassium. Examples include sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium stearate (a soap), and potassium alcohol sulfates. Anionic surfactants are ionic and are made up of two ions positively charged, usually metal, ion and a negatively charged organic ion.
Nonionic surfactants &#; These are surfactants that have no ions. They derive their polarity from having an oxygen&#;rich portion of the molecule at one end and a large organic molecule at the other end. The oxygen component is usually derived from short polymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Just as in water chemistry, the oxygen is a dense electron-rich atom that gives the entire molecule a partial net-negative charge which makes the whole molecule polar and able to participate in hydrogen bonding with water (as discussed in the first chapter). Examples of nonionic surfactants are alcohol ethoxylates, nonylphenoxy polyethylenoxy alcohols, and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers.
Cationic surfactants &#; These are positively charged molecules usually derived from nitrogen compounds. They are not commonly used as cleaning agents in hard-surface cleaners because of the tendency of the cationic positively charged molecule to be attracted to hard surfaces (that usually have a netnegative charge). Many cationic surfactants have bacteriacidal or other sanitizing properties that are useful in creating disinfectants that leave a cationic disinfectant film on the surface.
Cationic surfactants are usually incompatible with anionic surfactants, because they will react with the negatively charged anionic surfactant to form an insoluble or ineffective compound.
Amphoteric surfactants &#; Those surfactants that change their charge with pH. They can be anionic, nonionic, or cationic depending on pH. Usually, any one amphoteric can be any two of the three charge states.
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Are there different types of surfactants and what are they used for? The answer is yes, there are four different types of surfactants which are nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric. These surfactants differ in composition and polarity. Surfactants also known as surface active agents, are used to lower the surface tension between liquids. The four different types of surfactants are all used to lower surface tension, but as they have differing compositions, they do serve different purposes. The various applications surfactants can be used in are vast as surfactants can be used as emulsifiers, wetting agents, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, and dispersants. Products including inks, soaps, detergents, waxes, paints and so much more require some type of surfactant for production. If you are in need of surfactants, but need help finding the right surfactants for your particular needs, Ecolink can help.
These surfactants are often used as wetting agents or in coatings. Various products that make use of nonionic surfactants are polishes, cleaners, fragrances, and even some food products.
Anionic surfactants are also often used as wetting agents and can be found in products such as laundry & dish detergents, toothpaste, shampoo, body soaps, and other bath products.
Cationic surfactants have the ability to disturb and penetrate the cell membrane of viruses and bacteria, due to their positive charge. For this reason, cationic surfactants are often used in antimicrobial and antifungal products.
Also known as Zwitterionic surfactants, these surfactants possess properties of both cationic and anionic surfactants. Amphoteric surfactants have quick dry properties and often used in paint and latex products to help them dry or coagulate quicker.
If you need to find high quality, affordable surfactant, contact Ecolink here! Ecolink is a long time, trusted provider of high quality chemical products, including surfactants. Ecolink and their knowledgeable team of experts is ready to help you find the right surfactants and other chemical products for your needs.