Nonionic surfactants linear alkyl ethoxylates

Industrial effluents Organic compounds chloro- and nitrophenols, nonionic surfactants, linear alkylated benzene sulfonates, benzene and naphthalene sulfonates, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol V. fischeri (ToxAlert 10, ToxAlert 100) There were certain correlations between the results of the chemical analyses and bioassays to a large extent, however, the composition of the samples remained unknown Distinct correlations were found between the inhibition of bioluminescence and compound content, but only in the case of nonylphenol, nonylphenol carboxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, and chlorophenols 84... 

The isomeric structure of the surfactant and alcohol hydrophobe is also quite important. For instance, branched hydrophobic groups, as well as those containing one or more double bounds, tend to occupy more surface area at the interface as well as in the palisade layer, and result in looser structures. For instance, it is well known that nonionic surfactants of the ethoxylated linear alcohol type are more likely to form liquid crystals than their branched alkyl phenol counterparts. 

Anon. (1991) Environmental and Human Safety of Major Surfactants. Volume 1 Anionic Surfactants. Part 1. Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates. Part 2. Alcohol Ethyl Sulfates. Part 3. Alkyl Sulfates. Part 4. Alpha Olgin Sulfonates. Volume 2 Nonionic Surfactants, Alcohol Ethoxylates and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates. Government Reports Announcements Index (GRA I). 

As in the all-purpose cleaners, specialty cleaners generally have a combination of surfactants for most effective cleaning. These are usually combinations of anionic and nonionic surfactants. However, as was noted in the discussions above, there are times when solely nonionic surfactants are needed. Over the past 20 years, the household cleaners have gradually made more and more use of amine oxide, betaines, and more specialized nonionics. Amine oxides were always well used in hypochlorite-containing products, but are now used in other cleaners as well. However, the use of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates are still very prevalent. As stated before, the main choice of surfactant is dictated by the other chemistry in the cleaner—acid, alkaline, bleach, and quats. 

Some of the builders tested by themselves were also evaluated in association with either an ionic surfactant (linear sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate in C12, LABS) or a nonionic surfactant (ethoxylated linear alcohol C12-C14-70E) (Figs. 2 and 3). This evaluation is, of course, closer to usual test conditions, as it is carried out on embryonic formulas containing two of the major ingredients of detergent compositions. Tables 3 and 4 present detailed test results with the test conditions employed, which, aside from the presence of the surfactants, are analogous to those used on the builders alone. As is the case for all user property evaluation tests, the types of tests we have used can be criticized or even involved in controversy. They do, however, as will be seen, make it possible to classify the effects in a relevant way and to bring out clearly the role of the builder. 

A great deal of work has also been carried out on the biodegradation of nonionic surfactants, in this case the ethoxylates used in detergents and cleaning agents. However, the metabolic mechanism has not been investigated to the same extent as with linear alkylbenzenesulfonate. The microbial attack takes place on the ethylene oxide chain and also on the alkyl group of the molecules. 

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