Abstract
This paper presents a study of the surface properties of mixtures of surfactants originating from renewable sources, i.e., alkylpolyglucoside (APG), ethoxylated fatty alcohol (AE), and sodium soap (Na soap). The main objective was to optimize the surfactant ratio which produces the highest wetting properties during the analysis of the solution of the individual surfactants, two- and three-component mixtures, and at different pH values. The results showed the existence of a synergistic effect in lowering the interfacial tension, critical micelle concentration and the formation of mixed micelles in selected solutions. We found that best wetting properties were measured for the binary AE:APG mixtures. It has been demonstrated that slightly lower contact angles values were observed on Teflon and glass surfaces for the AE:APG:soap mixtures but the results were obtained for higher concentration of the components. In addition, all studied solutions have very good surface properties in acidic, basic and neural media. However, the AE:soap (molar ratio of 1:2), AE:APG (2:1) and AE:APG:soap (1:1:1) compositions improved their wetting power at pH 7 on the aluminium and glass surfaces, as compared to solutions at other pH values tested (selected Θ values close to zero—perfectly wetting liquids). All described effects detected would allow less surfactant to be used to achieve the maximum capacity of washing, wetting or solubilizing while minimizing costs and demonstrating environmental care.
Highlights
Industrial detergents, wetting agents and conditioning compositions are generally mixtures of different types of surfactants
This paper presents a study of the surface properties of mixtures of surfactants originating from renewable sources, i.e., alkylpolyglucoside (APG), ethoxylated fatty alcohol (AE), and sodium soap (Na soap)
The results showed the existence of a synergistic effect in lowering the interfacial tension, critical micelle concentration and the formation of mixed micelles in selected solutions
Summary
Industrial detergents, wetting agents and conditioning compositions are generally mixtures of different types of surfactants. APG are nonionic compounds with excellent ecological, toxicological properties [3] and interfacial properties (low interfacial tension, and hydrotropic properties) [4] They are used in cleaning and as detergent products because of their good foaming properties and skin compatibility [5]. The wettability and the synergistic effect on adsorption and micellization of different aqueous mixtures of APG, AE and sodium soap (Na soap) were studied in order to identify mixtures with the highest surface activity. The pH of each prepared solution was tested with a pH meter (Elmetron, Poland)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have