Surfactants and anionic, nonionic and cationic properties

By Timothy J. Roach

There was a time when the word &#;surfactant&#; was foreign to me. As a young boy growing up on Long Island, I remember watching my mother frantically trying to clean up some unknown food or drink spill from our carpet before company came. She&#;d scrub and scrub, actually spreading the spill instead of cleaning it.

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And, of course, with no carpet spot remover in the house, she would be forced to try whatever was handy, such as laundry detergent, dish soap, maybe even some alkaline degreaser from my dad&#;s workroom.

&#;Shouldn&#;t you use carpet cleaner on that?&#; I&#;d ask.

&#;It&#;s just soap,&#; she would reply. &#;It&#;s all the same.&#;

It&#;s not just soap

Today, as a cleaning product formulator, I get to play with all sorts of different chemicals. I spend my weekdays measuring and mixing, adding a pinch of this and a jigger of that. I guess you could say I&#;m one part chef, one part kid with a chemistry set.But there is one thing that I have learned over my years of studying chemistry and working as a formulator: It is most definitely not all just soap.

Perhaps the most misunderstood and confusing components of cleaning chemicals are the actual detergents, or surfactants.

View the Infographic &#;Anionic, Nonionic, Cationic, and Amphoteric Surfactants

Cleaning chemical variety

Surfactants (short for surface-active agents) are molecules that contain a hydrophilic, or &#;water-loving&#; end, and a hydrophobic, or &#;water-fearing&#; end. The electrical charge on the water-loving end of the molecule distinguishes between the different types of surfactants.

Surfactants come in four different types: Anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric.Once you understand the differences between these different surfactant types, as well as how to classify them by their names, choosing the right cleaning products should be a snap.

Anionic surfactants

Probably the most commonly used surfactants in carpet cleaning chemistry are anionic surfactants.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.

Anionic surfactants possess other benefits that make them ideal for certain carpet applications. Generally, they make a lot of foam when agitated. Also, they tend to be flaky or powdery when dry, not sticky like other surfactants.Anionic surfactants, therefore, are the most common type of surfactant found in low moisture carpet cleaners, like traditional shampoos and encapsulation products.However, these detergents tend to not be as good at emulsifying oily soils as some other detergent types.

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
• Sulfonate
• Gluconate (For example, sodium laurel sarcosinate, magnesium laurel sulfate, and sodium gluconate.)

Nonionic surfactants

Nonionic surfactants are also found in many cleaning products, including carpet products. Nonionics have no charge on their hydrophilic end, which helps make them superior oily soil emulsifiers.

Some nonionics are high foamers (like anionics), while others do not generate much foam. Because of their lower foam profile and strong emulsifying potential, these surfactants are the preferred choice when formulating extraction cleaners and pre sprays. However, unlike anionic surfactants, nonionics are thick liquids or syrups that are sticky or &#;gooey&#; to the touch. When left in the carpet, nonionic surfactants are the primary contributors to rapid resoiling.

Even with that being the case, their importance as cleaners outweighs this negative, and the cleaner or technician must take care to remove as much of the detergent residue as possible from the carpet in order to get the cleaning benefits of nonionics without their negatives.

Nonionic surfactants include:

• Ethoxylates
• Alkoxylates
• Cocamide

Cationic surfactants

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. However, cationic surfactants have been shown to damage the mill-applied protectants on carpet, and are therefore strictly verboten in carpet products.

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

Amphoteric surfactants

Probably the least talked about surfactants are the amphoterics. These unique molecules possess both a positive and a negative charge on their hydrophilic end, giving them a net charge of zero.

Amphoteric surfactants have little utility on their own, but work extremely well in enhancing the cleaning effect of both anionic and nonionic surfactants. They can serve as &#;coupling agents,&#; which hold the surfactants, solvents and inorganic salt components of a formula together.

Amphoterics are usually named in some way to indicate that they are amphoterics, as in amphoterge. Other examples of amphoterics are betaines and amine oxides.

A buffet of chemistry

With all these different types of surfactants, and with a seemingly infinite list of each type of surfactant, it is a wonder that formulators are able to choose the right detergent for the right application. Experienced formulators have gotten their hands dirty working with many different types of detergents in an effort to make just the right blend of cleaning agents. Any formulator worth his salt will be quick to tell you that not all surfactants are created equal, and that some cleaners are better than others, given the situation.

Timothy J. Roach has a B.S. degree in biology and chemistry from Duke University and an M.S. in chemistry from Northwestern University.

Nonionic 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.

1. The advantages of nonionic surfactants

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".

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2. Use of nonionic surfactants

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.

3.Application of surfactants

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.

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