Correlations of Surfactant Structure and Detergency

Any correlation between the detergent power of a surfactant and its chemical structure will be complicated by the existence of a wide variety of soil types that may have vastly different interactions with a given surfactant type. It is important, therefore, to specify the exact nature of the system when trying to make any general statements concerning such correlations. 

Clearly, the extent and orientation of adsorption of surfactant molecules onto a solid substrate are of primary importance to their action in the detergency process. Therefore, any alterations in molecular structure that affect such adsorption 

Within the limits of solubUity, detergent power increases with the length of the hydrophobic chain. 

For a given number of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic tail, maximum detergency is attained with straight rather than branched chains. 

Terminal positioning of the head group produces superior results within a surfactant series. 

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