The Complex Performance of Cationic Surfactant in Anionic Systems

The synergy of the combination of anionic-cationic surfactants is as following.

1. Soil releasing performance
A small amount of anionic surfactant-based detergent is added into the cationic surfactants as synergist to improve the soil releasing ability.

2. Solubilizing property
In the combination system of anionic-cationic surfactants, with the adding of one surfactant into another surfactant with an opposite charge, the number of polymerization of the mixed micelles will increase sharply. And at the same time, micelles transit to a rodlike structure, which has greater solubilizing ability for the solubilized matter soluble in the core of the micelles.

3. Foaming property
There is electrical attraction between anionic and cationic surfactants. And the proportional composition of the adsorption layer is necessary to achieve the maximum electrical attraction. The electrical repulsion between the adsorption layer and the surface active ions in the micelle is weakened by the electric charge effect, thus increasing the surface adsorption. This action makes the combination solution have a very low surface and interfacial tension, which will inevitably increase the foaming ability. At the same time, due to the close arrangement of molecules in the adsorption layer and the strong interaction between molecules, the surface viscosity increases and the mechanical strength of the surface film increases, so that it is not easy to break under external force, the liquid loss rate in the foam is slow, the air permeability is reduced, and the life of the foam is extended.

4. Wetting performance
Because the surface absorption of the combination system of anionic-cationic surfactants is enhanced and the surface tension is low, this combination system will have a strong wetting ability.

5. Emulsifying performance
The emulsifying ability of surfactants depends on their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, the hydrophilic and lipophilic value of the oil phase and the firmness of the film formed by the surfactant at the interface of oil and water. When a small amount of cationic surfactant is added to the anionic surfactant, or vice versa, due to the electric charge effect, the surface activity of the combined surfactant is increased, and the film density formed at the oil/water interface is increased, so the emulsifying ability is enhanced.

In addition, the combination system can also have the advantage of two components at the same time. Cationic surfactant is good anti-static agent and antibacterial agent. After combined with anionic surfactant, it will obtained a good washing agent for chemical fibers, including the functions of washing, anti-static, softening and dust prevention.

11026 High Concentration & Low Foaming Wetting Agent