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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
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.
• Ethoxylates
• Alkoxylates
• Cocamide
Uses
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.
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
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.
Wood oils
4. Intermediate chemicals