Application Field

The surfactant molecules, due to their amphiphilic structure (hydrophilic group/hydrophobic group), can be oriented and arranged at the interface, with the hydrophobic tails pointing towards the hydrophobic phase or air, and the hydrophilic heads pointing towards the water phase .After surfactants adsorb at the interface, they can significantly reduce the interfacial tension, making the liquid easier to spread and the two phases easier to mix, thereby facilitating applications such as wetting, emulsification, and foaming.

When the concentration of surfactants exceeds the CMC, micelles and various aggregates (spherical, rod-shaped, liquid crystals) can be formed. The hydrophobic tails gather at the core of the micelles, while the hydrophilic heads face outward and come into contact with the aqueous phase. The formation of micelles can provide a dissolution space for hydrophobic substances, encapsulating hydrophobic molecules or oil droplets, reducing their surface free energy, and thereby laying the foundation for subsequent solubilization, dispersion, emulsification and other derivative functions.

Wetting: Reduces the contact angle (θ) between solid, liquid and gas, and the interfacial tension, enabling the liquid to spread more easily onto solid surfaces (such as fabrics, skin, metals, etc.), thereby making the solid surface wet. Penetration: By reducing the interfacial tension, it enables the liquid to penetrate into the capillary pores or internal pores of the solid, thereby enhancing the contact efficiency and functionality of the liquid.

Emulsification: By adsorbing at the oil-water interface and forming an elastic membrane, it reduces the interfacial tension of the system and prevents droplet coalescence, thereby uniformly mixing two immiscible liquids and forming and stabilizing an emulsion. Demulsification: Through mechanisms such as destroying the interface film, altering the interface charge, and changing the properties of the medium, oil droplets or water droplets in the emulsion can be aggregated, settled, and separated, resulting in the original emulsion no longer being uniform.

Emulsification: By reducing the surface tension between gas and liquid, it stabilizes the gas/liquid interface film, enhances the surface viscoelasticity, promotes the formation of foam, and enhances the stability of the colloid by inhibiting the aggregation of bubbles. Defoaming: Hydrophobic particles (such as silica) or low surface energy liquids (such as modified silicone oil) can disrupt the stability of the liquid film, causing it to rupture, thereby inhibiting the formation or growth of bubbles.

Dispersion: By reducing interfacial tension, electrostatic repulsion, or spatial steric hindrance effects, insoluble or poorly soluble solid particles can be uniformly dispersed in a liquid and stabilized, preventing particle agglomeration or sedimentation, and maintaining a stable suspension state. Emulsification: The hydrophobic core of the surfactant micelle can encapsulate insoluble or poorly soluble organic substances (such as fragrances, drugs, etc.) within the micelle, thereby significantly increasing the solubility of these hydrophobic molecules in water.

Flocculation: By neutralizing the surface charges of particles, the surface properties of the particles are changed. At the same time, through the bridging effect between the particles, the dispersed tiny particles aggregate into larger flocculent bodies, making it easier to separate. Settling: By subjecting the particles or flocculent bodies to the gravitational force in the liquid, they sink downward, achieving solid-liquid separation.

Softness: By adhering to solid surfaces such as fibers and skin, it forms a lubricating layer or film, reducing friction and wear, and achieving effects such as softness, smoothness, and improved texture. Antistatic property: Adsorbed on the surfaces of fibers, hair, etc., through moisture absorption and conductivity, it eliminates potential differences and increases conductivity, thereby preventing, reducing or eliminating the accumulation of static electricity.

Washing: Surfactants penetrate into the interface between dirt and the substrate. Through synergistic effects such as wetting, emulsification, dispersion, and solubilization, they remove contaminants such as dirt, grease, and particulate matter, making the surface of the object clean. Sterilization: Cationic surfactants (such as quaternary ammonium salts) can adhere to negatively charged microbial cell membranes, disrupt the cell structure, inhibit or kill bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, and reduce the risk of pathogenic microbial infection.

Corrosion inhibition: The surfactant molecules adsorb onto the metal surface, forming a hydrophobic protective film that prevents the corrosive medium from eroding the metal surface. Some corrosion inhibitors can also combine with corrosive ions, thereby reducing the rate of the corrosion reaction. Scale inhibition: The surfactant adsorbs at the crystal growth points. Through lattice interference, complexation, and dispersion effects, it inhibits the deposition of calcium, magnesium, carbonate and other minerals on the equipment surface, preventing the formation of scale.