Difference Between Ionic And Nonionic Surfactants

An Easy Guide to Understanding How Surfactants Work

What is a Surfactant?

Surfactants are a primary component of cleaning detergents. The word surfactant means surface active agent. As the name implies, surfactants stir up activity on the surface you are cleaning to help trap dirt and remove it.

Surfactants have a hydrophobic (water-hating) tail and a hydrophilic (water-loving) head. The hydrophobic tail of each surfactant surrounds soils, while the hydrophilic head is surrounded by water.

How do surfactants work?

When sufficient surfactant molecules are present in a solution, they combine to form structures called micelles. As micelles form, the surfactant heads position themselves to be exposed to water, while the tails group together in the center, protected from water.

The micelles work as a unit to remove soils. The hydrophobic tails are attracted to soils and surround them, while the hydrophilic heads pull the surrounded soils off the surface and into the cleaning solution. Then, the micelles reform with the tails suspending the soil in the center of the structure.

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Types of Surfactants

The hydrophilic head of each surfactant is electrically charged. The charge can be negative, positive, or neutral. Depending on the charge of the hydrophilic head, the surfactant is classified as anionic, nonionic, cationic, or amphoteric.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants have a negative charge on their hydrophilic end. The negative charge helps lift and suspend soils in micelles. Because they can attack a broad range of soils, anionic surfactants are frequently used in soaps and detergents. They create a lot of foam when mixed. While excellent for lifting and suspending particulate soils, anionic surfactants are less effective at emulsifying oily soils. Examples include sulfates, sulfonates, and gluconates.

Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactants are neutral, lacking any charge on their hydrophilic end. They are highly effective at emulsifying oils and better than anionic surfactants at removing organic soils. These surfactants are often used with anionic surfactants to create dual-action, multi-purpose cleaners for both particulate and oily soils. Some nonionic surfactants are non-foaming or low-foaming, making them suitable for low-foaming detergents. They possess a unique property called a cloud point, the temperature at which the surfactant begins to separate from the cleaning solution. Examples include cocamide, ethoxylates, and alkoxylates.

Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants have a positive charge on their hydrophilic end. This makes them useful in anti-static products, like fabric softeners, and as antimicrobial agents in disinfectants. However, they cannot be used with anionic surfactants because the positive and negative charges would neutralize each other, rendering them ineffective. Cationic and nonionic surfactants are compatible. Examples include alkyl ammonium chlorides.

Amphoteric Surfactants

Amphoteric surfactants have a dual charge on their hydrophilic end, both positive and negative, canceling each other out to create a net zero charge (zwitterionic). Their behavior depends on the pH of the solution. In acidic solutions, they act like cationic surfactants, while in alkaline solutions, they behave like anionic surfactants. They are commonly found in personal care products such as shampoos and cosmetics. Examples include betaines and amino oxides.

How Surfactants Are Used in Cleaners

Surfactants are a key ingredient in cleaning products. Cleaners made from a single chemical targeting a specific type of soil are referred to as commodity cleaners. Formulated cleaners, which are blends of various chemical ingredients, work together to remove different types of soils. Formulated cleaners usually contain surfactants, hydrotropes, builders, and carriers, which work together to create mechanical actions for removing soils. The type of surfactants used largely determines the effectiveness in removing various soils.

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