Overview of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate
Surfactants, short for surface-active agents, are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. They play a crucial role in various industries due to their unique ability to interact with interfaces, enhancing emulsification, dispersion, wetting, foaming, and detergency properties.
Surfactants typically have an amphiphilic nature, meaning they consist of both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repellent) parts. This dual nature enables them to orient themselves at the interface between water and other substances, reducing the interfacial tension. The hydrophilic part is usually polar and often contains oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms, while the hydrophobic part is typically a long hydrocarbon chain.
Functions of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate
- Emulsification: By reducing the interfacial tension, surfactants facilitate the formation and stabilization of emulsions, where one liquid is dispersed in another immiscible liquid.
- Detergency: They help remove dirt and oils from surfaces by lowering the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate better into fabrics or surfaces, and by solubilizing greasy substances.
- Wetting: Surfactants speed up the wetting process by reducing the contact angle between a liquid and a solid, enhancing spreading.
- Foaming and Anti-Foaming: Depending on the type, surfactants can either stabilize foam (as in shampoo and soap) or break it down (in industrial processes where foam is undesirable).
- Dispersing Agent: They keep particles suspended in a liquid medium, preventing aggregation and settling.
Applications of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate
- Household and Industrial Cleaning Products: Detergents, soaps, and cleaning agents all rely on surfactants to remove dirt and grease.
- Personal Care and Cosmetics: Shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, and skincare products use surfactants for cleansing, foaming, and emulsifying.
- Textile and Leather Processing: In textile manufacturing, surfactants assist in dyeing, finishing, and fabric softening.
- Agriculture: As adjuvants in pesticides and herbicides, surfactants improve the spreading and sticking of these chemicals to plant surfaces.
- Food Industry: Used as emulsifiers in foods like mayonnaise, ice cream, and salad dressings to stabilize mixtures.
- Oil Recovery and Environmental Remediation: Surfactants can enhance oil recovery in petroleum extraction and aid in the cleanup of oil spills.
(Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate)
Parameters of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate
Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (SABS) is anionic surfactant commonly used in various cleaning agents, soaps, and detergents due to its excellent foaming properties, emulsifying ability, and mildness. Here are some key parameters for Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate:
1. Chemical Formula: CnH2n+1NaO(SO3)CH3 (where n is the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain)
2. Molecular Weight: Varies depending on the specific alkyl chain length, typically between 180 to 450 g/mol.
3. Structure: Linear or branched alkyl chains attached to a benzene ring, which is sulfonated.
4. Appearance: White or off-white powder or translucent liquid, depending on the degree of hydration.
5. Solubility: Soluble in water, with increasing solubility as the alkyl chain length increases.
6. pH: Generally has a neutral to slightly basic pH, around 7-9.
7. Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions but can hydrolyze in presence of water and air over time.
8. Foaming Properties: Good foaming agent, producing rich and stable foam.
9. Emulsifying Ability: Effective emulsifier for oil-in-water systems.
10. Biodegradability: Moderately biodegradable, with faster degradation when combined with alkali.
11. Toxicity: Low acute toxicity, but long-term exposure may cause skin and eye irritation.
12. Environmental Impact: Can be a concern due to persistence in the environment and potential for bioaccumulation.
These parameters are not fixed and can vary depending on the specific grade and manufacturer of the product. It’s essential to consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for more detailed information on handling and usage.
(Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate)
Company Profile
Surfactant China is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality surfactant materials and relatives products.
The company has a professional technical department and Quality Supervision Department, a well-equipped laboratory, and equipped with advanced testing equipment and after-sales customer service center.
If you are looking for high-quality surfactants and relative products, please feel free to contact us or click on the needed products to send an inquiry.
Payment Methods
L/C, T/T, Western Union, Paypal, Credit Card etc.
Shipment
It could be shipped by sea, by air, or by reveal ASAP as soon as repayment receipt.
FAQs of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate
Q1. What exactly do Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate do?
A: Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate lower the surface tension between fluids or between a fluid and a solid, improving properties such as wetting, foaming, detergency, emulsification, and dispersing. They achieve this through their amphiphilic structure, which allows them to interact effectively at interfaces.
Q2. Are surfactants safe for the environment?
A: The environmental impact of Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate varies greatly depending on their type, concentration, and the specific environment they enter. Some surfactants are biodegradable and pose minimal risk when used and disposed of properly. However, non-biodegradable surfactants can accumulate and harm aquatic life. It’s essential to choose eco-friendly options and follow recommended disposal guidelines.
Q3. How do Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate affect skin and hair?
A: Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate in personal care products can have both positive and negative effects. They help clean by removing dirt and oil but may also strip natural oils from the skin and hair, leading to dryness or irritation. Mild or moisturizing surfactants are often used in formulations to minimize these side effects.
Q4. How do Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate contribute to the effectiveness of cleaning products?
A: In cleaning products, Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate work by surrounding dirt particles, making them more soluble in water. They also reduce the surface tension of water, enabling it to penetrate better into fabrics and surfaces, and lift away grease and grime. This dual action of solubilization and penetration significantly enhances cleaning efficiency.
Q5. Why do some surfactants produce more foam than others?
A: The foaming capacity of surfactants depends on their molecular structure and the solution conditions. Generally, surfactants with long hydrocarbon chains and high concentrations tend to produce more stable foam because they can trap air more effectively. Additionally, anionic and nonionic surfactants are often associated with good foaming properties compared to cationic ones.
Q7. How do you determine the right surfactant for a specific application?
A: Choosing the right surfactant involves considering factors such as the required function (e.g., cleaning, emulsifying, wetting), compatibility with other ingredients in the formulation, environmental and safety regulations, cost-effectiveness, and desired end-product properties. Testing different surfactants in small-scale experiments is often necessary to identify the optimal choice for a given application.
(Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate)
