Nonionic surfactants, detergency content

As mentioned above, maximum oily soil removal from polyester substrates by POE nonionics is obtained when the PIT of the surfactant in the presence of that soil is close to the wash temperature. Since the PIT decreases with decrease in the EO content of the POE nonionic surfactant, it is to be expected that as the wash temperature is decreased, the EO content of the surfactant showing optimum oily soil removal will decrease. Thus, for single homogeneous surfactants, C12H25 (OC2H4)vOH, maximum cetane detergency at 30°C was shown by the 4EO compound (PIT = 30°C), at 50°C by the 5EO compound (PIT = 52°C), and at 65°C by the 6EO compound (Benson, 1986). The detergency of the 5EO compound at 30°C could be increased by additives that decreased its cloud point (and PIT). 

Various detergent ingredients may affect the enzyme efficacy strongly. Enzyme activity and stability depend on the pH and temperature of the wash solution, the time of contact of the stained fabric with the enzyme-containing solution, and the presence of builders and bleach. Surfactants, especially the anionics, are of primary importance in lessening enzyme stability. Consequently, an enzyme which is superior to another one in one composition-may become inferior in some other. For instance, medium pH values, and contents of anionic surfactant favor Alcalase, whereas alkalinity and high nonionic surfactant contents favor Esperase, which also withstands sodium perborate better. 

Wickbold, R., Alkanesulfonates (in German), Tenside, Swf actants, Deterg., 1971,3,130-134. Zhang, L X. Li, W. Du, J. Furong, Detection of polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants and determination of the ethylene oxide content by IR spectroscopy (in Chinese), Fenxi Huaxue, 1987,15, 810, 823-824. CA 108 188932f. 

The content of nonionic detergents (surfactants) is ideally measured... 

The content of nonionic detergent (surfactant) in the water sample, in mg, is calculated according to the following formula ... 

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