Caflon® Anionic Surfactants

DDBSA (dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid) is an anionic surfactant that belongs to the class of alkylbenzene sulfonates. Its structure consists of a dodecylbenzene hydrophobic tail and a negatively charged sulfonate (-SO3-) hydrophilic head group. The dodecyl (C12) alkyl chain provides the hydrophobic tail, while the benzene ring with the attached sulfonate group acts as the hydrophilic, negatively charged head group.

Applications:

• Household & Industrial Cleaners
• Paints & Coatings
• Agrochemicals
• Oil Field Applications

Properties:

• Excellent cleaning and wetting abilities due to its anionic nature
• Good foaming and emulsifying properties
• Effective in removing oily soils and particulate matter
• Stable over a wide range of pH and temperatures.

Environmental considerations:

• DDBSA and its salts (e.g., sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) are generally considered to be biodegradable and have a lower environmental impact compared to some other anionic surfactants.
• However, like many surfactants, they can exhibit toxicity to aquatic organisms at high concentrations.

DDBSA is an important anionic surfactant belonging to the alkylbenzene sulfonate family, widely used for its excellent cleaning, wetting, and emulsifying properties in various industrial and consumer applications.

Alkylbenzene sulfonic acids are a class of anionic surfactants consisting of a hydrophobic alkylbenzene tail and a negatively charged sulfonic acid (-SO3H) head group. A common example is dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) discussed earlier.

Applications:

• Heavy-duty cleaners, laundry detergents
• Emulsifiers in paints, coatings, agrochemicals

Benefits:

• Excellent cleaning and wetting abilities
• Good hydrotrope properties

Hydrotropes are anionic surfactants containing a sulfonic acid (-SO3H) head group that help improve the solubility of other surfactants or compounds in water. Examples include sodium xylene sulfonate and sodium cumene sulfonate.

Applications: 

• Used with other surfactants in cleaners and detergents
• Coupling agents in personal care formulations

Benefits:

• Enhance aqueous solubility
• Act as hydrotropes and coupling agents

Alpha olefin sulfonates are biodegradable anionic surfactants with a sulfonate (-SO3-) head group attached to a hydrophobic linear olefin tail. Examples include sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate.

Applications:

• Household and industrial cleaners
• Personal care products like shampoos

Benefits: 

• Excellent cleaning ability
• Biodegradable and environmentally preferred

Alkyl ether sulfates are anionic surfactants consisting of a sulfate (-OSO3-) head group and a hydrophobic alkyl ether tail. Examples include sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate. 

Applications:

• Shampoos, body washes, hand soaps
• Household and industrial cleaners

Benefits:

• Good foaming and thickening abilities
• Milder than alkyl sulfates

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is an anionic surfactant consisting of a 12-carbon lauryl chain with a negatively charged sulfate head group. It is an inexpensive and highly effective foaming and cleansing agent used in many personal care and cleaning products like toothpastes, shampoos and hand soaps.

Applications:

• Personal care products
• Household cleaners

Benefits:

• Excellent foaming and cleansing abilities
• Low cost