General Classification of Surface-Active Agents

A simple classification of surfactants, based on the nature of the hydrophilic group, is commonly used, with four main classes being distinguished anionic cationic amphoteric and nonionic. A useful technical reference here is McCutcheon [3], which is produced annually to update the list of available surfactants. A recent text by van Os et al. [4], hsting the physico-chemical properties of selected anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants, has been published by Elsevier. 

Another useful text is the Handbook of Surfactants by Porter [5]. It should be mentioned also that a fifth class of surfactants, usually referred to as polymeric surfactants, has been used for many years for the preparation of emulsions and suspensions, and for their stabilisation. 

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Surface acoustic waves (SAWs), acoustic wave sensors and, 22 270 Surface-active agent(s), 12 33. See also Surfactant entries cmc values of, 24 121t general classification of, 24 144-153 nonionic, 10 665 organic esters as, 10 519 Surface-active molecules, 12 1 foaming and, 12 3... 

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