Types of Surfactants and Their Applications

Surfactants are materials that lower surface and interfacial tension between a liquid and a solid or between liquids. It generally means that every material with an effect on the interfacial surface tension is a surfactant. In other circumstances, surfactants act as foaming agents, dispersants, emulsifiers and wetting agents based on requirements by Surfactants companies in India.Active agents’ plays a crucial role as anti-foaming, emulsifying, foaming, cleaning and dispersing agents in several applications and other products such as paints shampoos toothpaste detergents and many more. Adsorption of the surfactants as dynamics is crucial for different applications. When bubbles and drops are rapidly generated and need stabilization, surfactants are required.

There are four types of surfactants, and the classification of the surfactants is based on the composition of their polarity in terms of amphoteric, cationic, anionic and nonionic surfactants.

1. Nonionic surfactants
These are surface-active agents that do not form ions when in a liquid solution. Therefore they are different from anionic and cationic surfactants that have positive and negative charges in their liquid form. You can apply Nonionic surfactants in hard water and salinity conditions because of less sensitivity to electrolytes. One can also combine this with different industrial and domestic products.

2. Ionic
Ionic surfactants are made of negative charges towards the hydrophilic end. Because of their high capability of attracting dirt, surfactants are often used in detergents and soaps. The surfactants create more foam when mixed. This, therefore, makes them high in the suspending of particulates soils and lifting, although they are not sufficient in oil soils.

3. Cationic
This surfactant has made positive charges towards the end of their hydrophilic end. Hence the positive charge is essential for the production of anti-static products such as fabric softener. Besides, the surfactant can serve as an antimicrobial agent. You can use Cationic as disinfectants also. It is because when positively charged cationic come intact with negatively charged anionic; they will fall out of solution and will not be effective anymore. However, Both Cationic and Nonionic surfactants are compatible. Some of the examples of cationic surfactants include chlorides and alkylammonium.

4. Amphoteric Surfactants
These surfactants have a dual charge on both positive and negative charge hydrophilic end. The charges have the capability of cancelling each other and creating a zero net charge, which is called Zwitterionic. The reaction of the amphoteric surfactants depends on the PH levels of a given solution. In acid solutions, the amphoteric surfactant is positively and behaves like cationic surfactants. In alkali solutions, they have negative charges that are similar to anionic surfactants. The applications of amphoteric surfactants include in personal care products, for instance, shampoos and other common cosmetics.

Overall, surfactants are the primary ingredient in making cleaning products. The end products have similar functionality and can be applied to different areas based on their specifications. Pan Oleo Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. is one of the best Surfactants companies in India who supply the best quality Surfactants across the world. Contact us today!