Hard-surface cleaners amphoteric surfactants

The major applications of this class of surfactants are shampoos and body washes, and they are often found in conditioning shampoos due to their compatibility with quaternary compounds. The shampoo compositions mostly include from 1 to —8% by weight of amphoterics to help impart aesthetic, physical, or cleansing properties to the composition. Amphoterics also find broad applications in hard surface cleaner formulations and homecare applications, due to their excellent detergency and pH stability. 

Importantly, stability and performance at acidic and alkaline pH extremes are a signature characteristic of these surfactants. Thus, for example, commercial amphoterics such as dihydroxyethyl alkyl glycinate are considered to be excellent thickeners for strongly alkaline oven as well as acid toilet bowl cleaners. Amine oxides enjoy similar properties. Resistance to both acids and bases make them suitable for use in products such as hypochlorite and phosphoric acid hard surface cleaners, hair dyes, corrosion inhibitors, and printing inks [4]. 

Likewise, thickened aqueous hypochlorite compositions rely on these surfactants to accomplish the same purpose at alkaline pH levels of 11 or higher [47]. Desired viscosity for such formulas may range from 150 to 3000 cP. This would not only permit easy dispensing, but provides good coating action necessary for cleaning toilet bowls, bathroom tiles, and shower walls [48]. Effective viscosity control is also necessary to suspend abrasives found in scouring cleansers. Finally, the choice of the particular amphoteric surfactant is an important factor in the preparation of low solvent hard surface cleaners [49-50]. 

Uses Emulsifier, detergent, wetting agent, solubilizer for laundry prods., all purpose cleaners, textiles, hard surface cleaners, paints, pesticides, l l cleaners Features Compat. with anionic, amphoteric, cationic surfactants available in Kosher grade stable in aq. acidic and alkaline sol ns Regulatory FDA 21 CFR 180.1001 (c)(e), 182.99 Europe EINECS Canada DSL ... 

Chem. Descrip. Proprietary polymer Uses Surface modifier, soil release agent for hard surface cleaners Features Not compat, with anionic surfactants compat. with common nonionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants... 

Other hard surface applications rely on amphoteric surfactants to enhance viscosity in highly acidic or alkaline formulations. Some liquid toilet bowl cleaners, for instance, are formulated within a pH range of 2-4 (83). Amphoteric surfactants have been demonstrated to provide good gellation and stability in compounds containing peracetic acid (84). 

Uses Surfactant for hard surface cleaning, heavy duty fat and oil removal solubilizer, emulsifier, antistat in traffic film removers, high pressure cleansers, rime cleansers, car shampoo, furniture and plastic cleaners, bathroom or tile cleanser Features Broad application use imparts gloss antistatic properties compat, with nonionic and amphoteric surfactants good tolerance to hard or soft water Properties Cl. to si. opalescent yish.liq. 100% act. 

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