Chemistry of antistatic finishes

Esters of phosphoric acid form the largest group of non-durable antistats (Fig. 10.1). The alkyl groups are usually derived from fatty acids. Ethoxylated fatty 

Quaternary ammonium compounds are the next largest group of non-durable antistats. The most widely used are ditallowdimethylammonium chloride and dihydrogenated tallowdimethylammonium chloride (Fig. 10.2). These are common ingredients in laundry and dryer applied consumer softeners. Like many other cationic materials, cationic antistats have an affinity for textile fibres and can be applied by exhaustion processes. 

The last group of non-durable antistats is composed of non-ionic compounds such as ethoxylated fatty esters, alcohols and alkylamines (Fig. 10.3). Mixtures of cationic and non-ionic surfactants demonstrate synergistic antistatic properties. The non-ionic materials provide increased moisture absorption and the cationic products provide the mobile counterions. 

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