Nonylphenol Ethoxylates as Valuable Industrial Surfactants

Nonylphenol ethoxylates are nonionic surfactants are active agents that do not dissociate into ions when in aqueous solutions. They are most commonly used as detergents because their ionic counterparts are insoluble in hard water. In addition to being good detergents these nonionic surfactants have excellent solubility, chemical stability and little foam properties. Ethoxylates are mild on the skin even when used for a long time. The hydrophilic group of nonylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates is composed of an alkene ether which is a water soluble polyether consisting ten to one hundred units in length. These are prepared through polymerizing propylene oxide, ethylene oxide and butylenes oxide into one molecule. This surfactant can also be used as a wetting agent, emulsifiers and a detergent but this depends on the proportion of oxides and carbon atoms.

Physical Properties of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates

These nonylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates are liquids usually transparent to yellowish or waxy solids. This state depends on the number of ethoxy groups on the chain and the length of the alkyl chain. They also contain the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts making them able to dissolve in both aqueous and oily phases reducing the tension of fluids. Ethylene oxide is cyclic ether represented by the formula C2H4O. This material is reactive and when added to the alcohol bases it forms the ethoxylate surfactant which is nonionic and does not have any electrical charge. This means they work well in hard water, in low temperatures, are stable in acids and alkali, and are compatible with other types of surfactants.

It is soluble in methanol and xylene and quite stable in ordinary conditions. It is synonymous to polyoxyethylene nonyphenyl ether, nonyphenyl polyethyleneglycol ether, polyethylene monoether glycol and ethoxalate nonyphenol. It’s the properties on these nonylphenol ethoxylates that make it a valuable product for applications as industrial surfactant.

Other Applications of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates and Industrial Surfactants

Ethoxylates are useful in industrial processes and the various applications of nonylphenol ethoxylates include their use as detergents, industrial cleaners, sanitizers, stabilizers, defoaming agemts, dispersants, and emulsifiers of agrochemicals. Other industrial applications include metal workings, de-inking of paper, product drilling, textile processing, anionic synthesis of surfactants, control of dust, adhesive, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, lube oil and plastics. Click Here to get more information on Nonylphenol Ethoxylates.

Rising Demand

Market for detergent surfactants is increasing by the day however this has come together with its costs. The supply has been strained. Feedstock cost has also markedly risen and ethoxylate producers are suffering margin erosion. Ethoxylate availability has been limited due to the increasing trend among its producers focusing on captive consumption while they opt for more lucrative opportunities in other derivatives. This has increased profitability for other suppliers who chose to raise the ethoxylate-formula contract fee. The increase in capital and efficiency for producers has led to co-location agreements and acquisitions between major suppliers and downstream manufacturers. Such agreements reduce freight costs and ensure security and also enable suppliers to gain from competitive prices.

This article has been written by Govind Patel.