Surfactants

Introduction
The word surfactants derives from the contraction of the
terms surface-active-agent and covers a group of molecules
which are able to modify the interfacial properties of two
liquids or liquid and solid.


Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents,
emulsifiers and foaming agents.
Surfactant Consist of



Hydrophilic Lipophilic
History
World Production Statistics
The world production of soaps, detergents and other surfactants was
about 18 Mt (million tons) in 1970, 25 Mt in 1990 and 40 Mt in 2000.

131 Companies have reported that they manufactured or imported
detergents for washing textiles during 2010. The total amount used
was about 50 Mt of Detergents.







Estimated Percentage of Annual Global Volume Sales of Surfactants

Production in Egypt

Classification of Surfactants
1. Anionic Surfactants

2. Cationic Surfactants

3. Nonionic Surfactants

4. Zwitterionic Surfactants
Anionic Surfactants
The hydrophilic part of the surfactant consists of a negatively charged
group like a sulphonate, sulphate or carboxylate the surfactant is
called anionic

Anionic surfactants account for about 50 % of the world production.

we can place these detergents into the following main groups:

Alkyl Aryl Sulphonates (LABS)
Long Chain (Fatty) Alcohol Sulphates



Cationic Surfactants
For this category the hydrophilic part is positively charged.

These surfactants are in general more expensive than anionics, but
they might provide softening, antistatic, soil repellent, and anti-
bacterial or corrosion inhibitory effects.
Nonionic Surfactants
They do not ionize in aqueous solution, because their hydrophilic
group is of a non-dissociable type, such as alcohol, phenol, ether,
ester, or amide.

Nonionic surfactants account for about 45 % of the world production.

They can be added to other detergents to provide greater stability.
Zwitterionic Surfactants
Its surfactant molecule exhibit both anionic and cationic
dissociations.

This surfactants are insensitive to pH, whereas others are cationic at
low pH and anionic at high pH. They are generally quite expensive
Application
Detergents
Fabric softener
Emulsions
Paints
Adhesives
Pipelines
Cosmetics
Shampoos
Hair conditioners
Toothpastes
Lubricants
Detergents
Detergent composition generally comprises six groups of substances:
Surfactants, Builders, Enzymes, Bleaching agents, Fillers and other
minor Additives such as fabric softeners, dye-transfer inhibiting
ingredients and optical brighteners.

Cleaning Action:

When a greasy cloth is put into aqueous solution of a detergent, the
hydrophilic part of detergent is dissolved in water while hydrophobic
part dissolves grease or oil like substances on the cloth. On slight
agitation grease is readily removed from the cloth.

Detergents Ingredients
1. Surfactants (15% by wt.)

The surfactant or surface active ingredient performs the primary
cleaning in detergents through the reduction of interfacial tension. This
consists of completely wetting the dirt and surface of the item being
washed, removing the dirt from the surface, and maintaining the dirt in
solution.

Examples: Dodecyl Benzene or Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonates (LABS)
2. Builders (50% by wt.)

Detergent builders play a central role in the course of the washing
process. Their function is largely that of supporting detergent action
and of water softening, i.e. eliminating calcium and magnesium ions,
which arise from the water and from soil.

Examples:
Specific precipitating alkaline materials such as sodium carbonate and
sodium silicate.
Ion exchangers, such as water-soluble poly carboxylic acids and
zeolites Like (Zeolite A).

3. Foaming Agents

Commonly added to detergents for aesthetic appeal to make
detergent feels soft on the skin and give the impression of cleanliness.

Examples: Sodium Sulfates.

4. Bleaching Agents (7% by wt.)

Ensures Brightness of fabric.

Examples: sodium hypochlorite.


5. Enzymes (2% by wt.)

Enzymes facilitate the cleaning process by converting insoluble
compounds such as fats, oils and starches into water-soluble species.

6. Additives

Additives are used to improve the performance of the detergent and
include anti-redeposition agents, bleach stabilizers, fabric-whitening
agents, foam controllers, corrosion inhibitors, perfumes and colorants.




Physical and Chemical Properties
There are three types of energy needed for good cleaning results:

A. Chemical energy provided by the detergent.
B. Thermal energy provided by warm or hot water.
C. Mechanical energy provided by machine or hands.

Detergent bind to the soil until some mechanical energy or agitation
are added. Warm or hot water melts the fats and oils so that it will be
easier for the detergent to dissolve the soil and pull it away.
Composition of a Laundry Powder Detergent:
Critical Micelle Concentration:

The Krafft Point:
The solubility of micelle-forming surfactants show a strong increase
above a certain temperature, termed the Krafft point.

Cloud Point:

Non-ionic surfactants do not exhibit Krafft points; their solubility
decreases with increasing temperature and these surfactants may begin
to lose their surface active properties above a transition temperature
referred to as the cloud point.