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4. Relationship between structure and performance
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Almost all surfactants have a hydrophobic chain length between C8-C10 and C18, and non-ionic surfactants are no exception.
Chains shorter than C8-C10 are too short and too soluble in water to interact significantly with liquid or solid hydrophobic phases. The only hydrophilic groups with which these chains can be associated, while retaining interfacial properties, are amino, hydroxy or phosphate groups. These molecules have virtually no detergent, emulsifying or dispersant properties, but they can be used for their wetting effect or for the surface antistatic treatment of synthetic fibers. C3-C5 alcohols are cosurfactants in microemulsion systems.
Chain lengths longer than C18 are less commercially available and more expensive than C12-C18 chains. As a result, C20, C22 and even longer-chain derivatives have not attracted...
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Relationship between structure and performance
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Regulations in force in European Union countries http://www.cc.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/chemicals/documents/specific-chemicals/detergents/index_en.htm
Council Directive 76/769/EEC of July 27, 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and...
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The non-ionic surfactants used on an industrial scale on the European market are presented in Table 2 . The chemical formulas and properties of the most important products are given at
Statistical and economic data
1. Production
Among the various classes of surfactants, non-ionic surfactants (NIS) now rank first in terms of both volume and value. Their consumption continues to grow due to their physico-chemical properties, the effects they are intended to achieve, and developments in formulation technologies.
In Europe, the total market for surfactants (expressed as 100% active ingredient)...
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