Laundry detergents amphoteric surfactants

Amphoteric surfactants have both a positive and a negative component at the water-attracting end. Amphoteric surfactants are used in washing-up liquids, but rarely in laundry detergents because they cost too much. The best known amphoteric surfactants are the cocamides. 

Amphoteric surfactants. These compounds have the characteristics of both anionic detergents and cationic fabric softeners. They tend to work best at neutral pH, and are found in shampoos, skin cleaners, and carpet shampoos. They are very stable in strong acidic conditions and are favorably used with hydrofluoric acid. For example, compounds of alkyl-betain or alkylsulfobetaine type possess both anionic and cationic groups in the same molecule even in aqueous solution. These surfactants are rarely employed in laundry detergents because of their high costs [3, 4]. 

Formula RC0-NH(CH2)6N(0H)2CHS03Na, RCO-represents the coconut acid radical Properties Amphoteric Uses Surfactant, detergent, wetting agent, corrosion inhibitor, emulsifier, sequestrant, foaming agent for cosmetics, household and industrial applies. foam stabilizer, solubilizer for alkaline laundry detergents, cleaners Features Mild... 

Primarily owing to cost or even tradition, other surfactants, snch as ethoxy-lated amines, amides, and amphoterics, have not been used generally in laundry detergents. However, these specialty surfactants have been included in a number of other household cleaners, industrial formulations, and personal-care products. 

Compared to the commonly used anionic and nonionic surfactants, amphoter-ics/betaines are generally mild, with lower skin and eye irritation. Amphoter-ics/betaines can therefore be used in laundry products where mildness is an important criteria, like laundry detergents for baby clothing and for sensitive skin people. Fine-fabric wash formulas can also benefit from addition of amphoteric/betaine surfactants. Laundry bar formulations can incorporate amphoteric/betaine surfactants in order to improve the mildness on hands. 

Amphoteric/betaine surfactants can be used in I I detergents because of extreme pH stability. In institutional laundry detergents, where relatively high amounts of caustic are used, amphoteric/betaine surfactants are well suited because of their alkali stability. Softergent (detergent and fabric softener in one formula) formulations require surfactants that are compatible with quats. 

Uses Surfactant, wetting agent, penetrant, emulsifier in laundry detergents, tub and tile cleaners, metal cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers Features Compat. with nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants Properties APHA color 100 max. mild odor sp.gr. 0.99 pour pt. -5 C cloud pt. (1% aq.) 42 C flash pt. 182 C pH (1% aq.) 7 surface tens. (0.1%) 28 dynes/cm interfacial tens. (0.1% vs. mineral oil) 6 dynes/cm 100% act. 

Uses Surfactant, vise, builder for hard surf, cleaners, lt.-duty liq. detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, agric. wetting agents, heavy-duty liq. laundry detergents Features High foam cuts grease compat. with anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants... 

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 ... 

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