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What is the surfactant series, and what are their respective characteristics?
 Hits:48 AddTime:2025-07-23 16:11:44
Surfactants are a type of substance that can significantly reduce the surface tension of liquids and are widely used in fields such as washing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. According to the ionic properties of hydrophilic groups in their molecular structure, they can be divided into two categories: * * ionic * and * * non-ionic * *, with ionic types further subdivided into anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic types. The following are the specific classifications and characteristics of each series:

1、 Anionic surfactant
After the molecule dissolves in water, the hydrophilic group carries a negative charge and is the most widely used type (accounting for more than 60% of the total surface active agent), mainly used in washing, emulsification and other scenarios.

1. Carboxylates (R-COO ⁻ M ⁺)
Representative products: Sodium stearate (the main component of soap), Sodium oleate.
characteristic:
-Hydrophilicity originates from carboxyl groups (- COO ⁻), easily soluble in water, stable under alkaline conditions, and prone to precipitation under acidic conditions (due to low solubility of carboxylic acids);
-Has good stain removal and emulsification ability, but poor resistance to hard water (reacts with calcium and magnesium ions to form precipitates, reducing activity);
-Good biodegradability and environmental friendliness, but the washing effect is greatly affected by water quality.

2. Sulfonates (R-SO ∝⁻⁺ M ⁺)
Representative products: Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), Sodium alkyl sulfonate (SAS).
characteristic:
-Strong hydrophilicity, stable in hard water (not easily bound to calcium and magnesium ions), with better cleaning power than carboxylate salts;
-Low cost, rich foam, is the main component of washing powder and detergent;
-LAS has moderate biodegradability and long-term use may have a slight impact on water bodies.

3. Sulfate salts (R-OPO ∝⁻ M ⁺)
Representative products: Sodium dodecyl sulfate (K12), Sodium fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (AES).
characteristic:
-K12: Easily soluble in water, rich foam, strong decontamination power, but high irritation, commonly used in industrial detergents;
-AES: Introducing polyoxyethylene chains (- OCH ₂ CH ₂ -) based on K12 reduces irritation and enhances resistance to hard water. It is widely used in personal care products such as shampoo and shower gel.

4. Phosphate salts (R-OPO ∝ ² ⁻ M ⁺₂)
Representative products: Sodium alkyl phosphate ester, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether phosphate ester salt.
characteristic:
-Combining stain removal, emulsification, and anti-static properties, with good stability (acid resistance, alkali resistance, high temperature resistance);
-Low irritant, commonly used as anti-static agent and metal cleaning agent in chemical fiber textiles.

2、 Cationic surfactant
After the molecule dissolves in water, the hydrophilic group carries a positive charge and is mainly used in sterilization, softening, anti-static and other scenarios, with weak cleaning power.

1. Amine salts (R-NH ∝⁺⁻ X ⁻)
Representative products: Dodecylamine hydrochloride, octadecylamine acetate.
characteristic:
-Stable under acidic conditions, easily decomposed under alkaline conditions (generating free amines);
-It has certain emulsifying and bactericidal effects and is commonly used as a softener in the textile industry.

2. Quaternary ammonium salts (R ₄ N ⁺ X ⁻)
Representative products: Dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (1231), Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).
characteristic:
-Not affected by pH (stable under acidic and alkaline conditions), strong bactericidal ability (able to damage bacterial cell membranes);
-It has good softness and anti-static properties, and is the core component of fabric softeners (such as fabric softeners) and hair conditioners;
-CTAB is also commonly used for solubilization and emulsification in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

3、 Zwitterionic surfactant
The molecule contains both positive and negative charged groups, and its properties vary with pH, exhibiting both mildness and multifunctionality.

1. Betaine type (R-N ⁺ (CH ∝) ₂ - CH ₂ COO ⁻)
Representative products: dodecyl dimethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAB).
characteristic:
-Stable under acidic (cationic), alkaline (anionic), and neutral conditions, with good compatibility with other types of surfactants;
-Extremely low in irritation and good in foaming, commonly used in infant care products and mild facial cleansers.

2. Amino acid type (R-NH-CH ₂ CH ₂ - COO ⁻)
Representative products: Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate.
characteristic:
-Derived from natural amino acids, it has excellent biodegradability, is mild and non irritating;
-Moderate stain removal and foaming ability, suitable for sensitive skin care products such as amino acid facial cleansers.

4、 Non-ionic surfactant
The molecule does not contain ionic groups, and the hydrophilic groups are hydroxyl (- OH) or ether bonds (- O -). It has high stability and good compatibility with other surfactants.

1. Polyoxyethylene type (fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, AEO)
Representative products: AEO-3 (emulsifier), AEO-9 (detergent).
characteristic:
-The hydrophilic group is a polyoxyethylene chain (- O (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) ₙ -), and the larger the n value, the stronger the hydrophilicity;
-Strong stain removal and emulsification ability, resistant to hard water, acid and alkali, is a commonly used ingredient in laundry detergent and industrial cleaning agents.

2. Polyol type (such as fatty acid glycerides, sorbitol esters)
Representative products: Glyceryl monostearate (food emulsifier), Span-60 (water in oil emulsifier), Tween-80 (oil in water emulsifier).
characteristic:
-Derived from natural oils or sugars, with high safety (can be used in food and medicine);
-Strong emulsifying ability, Span class is commonly used for oil phase emulsification in cosmetics, and Tween class is commonly used for solubilization in water-soluble preparations.

3. Alkyl Glycosides (APG)
Characteristics: It is synthesized from glucose and fatty alcohols, with both non-ionic and anionic properties, strong cleaning power, and 100% biodegradability. It is a representative of environmentally friendly surfactants and widely used in green detergents, pesticide additives, etc.
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