What is an anionic surfactant?

Author: Geym

May. 13, 2024

An Easy Guide to Understanding How Surfactants Work | IPC

An Easy Guide to Understanding How Surfactants Work

What is a Surfactant?

Surfactants are fundamental in cleaning detergents. Originating from the phrase "surface active agent," surfactants function by activating the surface you're cleaning, effectively trapping dirt and facilitating its removal.

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Surfactants consist of a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head. The hydrophobic tail clusters around the dirt, while the hydrophilic head contacts the water.

How do surfactants work?

In solutions with a sufficient concentration of surfactant molecules, these molecules group together to form micelles. In this structure, hydrophilic heads face water, and hydrophobic tails are protected in the center.

These micelles work collectively to remove dirt. The hydrophobic tails attract and surround the dirt, while the hydrophilic heads pull the encapsulated dirt away from the surface. The micelles then reform, trapping the dirt within their structure.

Types of Surfactants

Each surfactant’s hydrophilic head carries an electrical charge, which can be negative, positive, or neutral. Based on this charge, surfactants are categorized as anionic, nonionic, cationic, or amphoteric.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants have a negatively charged hydrophilic end. This negative charge helps such surfactants lift and suspend dirt in micelles. Consequently, anionic surfactants are commonly found in soaps and detergents due to their ability to handle a wide range of dirt. Despite their foam-creating efficiency, they are not particularly effective at emulsifying oils.

Examples include sulfates, sulfonates, and gluconates.

Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactants do not carry a charge on their hydrophilic end. They excel in emulsifying oils and removing organic dirt. These surfactants are often combined with anionic surfactants to make versatile, dual-action cleaners.

Certain nonionic surfactants have low-foaming properties, making them suitable for low-foaming detergents.

Nonionic surfactants possess a unique feature known as a cloud point, the temperature at which the surfactant separates from the solution, making it appear cloudy. This is the optimum temperature for cleaning efficacy. For an in-depth look, consider reading on Ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil-Properties & Uses.

Common nonionic surfactants include cocamide, ethoxylates, and alkoxylates.

Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants carry a positive charge, making them effective in anti-static applications such as fabric softeners and antimicrobial agents. They are often used in disinfectants but cannot be combined with anionic surfactants, as this neutralizes their efficacy.

Common examples include alkyl ammonium chlorides.

Amphoteric Surfactants

Amphoteric surfactants have both positive and negative charges at their hydrophilic end, creating a net charge of zero. Their behavior changes with the pH level of the solution, acting like cationic surfactants in acidic environments and anionic surfactants in alkaline settings.

Examples include betaines and amino oxides.

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How Surfactants are used in Cleaners

Surfactants are a crucial component in cleaning products. Cleaners can be composed of single chemicals targeting specific types of dirt (commodity cleaners) or blends of various chemicals designed to address multiple kinds of soils (formulated cleaners).

Formulated cleaners contain four main elements: surfactants, hydrotropes, builders, and carriers. Hydrotropes ensure the stability of surfactants and builders in the solution, while the carrier is either water or a solvent. These elements work together to break down, lift, and suspend dirt effectively.

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What are anionic surfactants?

Surfactants reduce the surface tension between liquids, solids, or gases, making them effective cleaning agents. The term "surfactant" stands for "surface active agent."

Surfactants have hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) ends. The hydrophobic ends target the stains, while the hydrophilic ends lift the stains into the cleaning solution.

Anionic surfactants are surfactants with a negative charge.

What are the properties of anionic surfactants?

Anionic surfactants possess a negative charge at their hydrophilic end, which helps repel substrates and dirt particles. This results in superior cleaning power and high foam production when agitated.

Due to these properties, anionic surfactants are key components in soaps and chemical detergents, capable of tackling a wide variety of substances. However, they are less effective at removing oily dirt.

Examples include sulfates, sulfonates, phosphates, and carboxylates. Sodium stearate, a white solid and common form of soap, falls under carboxylates.

What are the applications of anionic surfactants?

Anionic surfactants have extensive applications beyond cleaning, including:

  • Pesticide emulsifiers: Improve chemical stability and reduce costs and pollution; used in insecticides, rust removers, and plant growth regulators.
  • Cosmetic industry: Act as emulsifiers, solubilizers, and wetting agents, safe from both pharmacological and toxicological perspectives.
  • Sewage treatment: Effective in treating domestic sewage, industrial wastewater from papermaking, breweries, textile dyeing, and more.
  • Textile industry: Used in both pretreatment and finishing processes, including functional products like leveling and fixing agents.
  • Cleaning agents: Known for exceptional washing properties, used in soaps, detergents, and shampoos. They produce high foam and are cost-effective.

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