Table 1.1 Classification of surfactants.
Surfactants Properties
Anionic  Negatively Charged
 Types: Sulfonic acid salts, alcohol
sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfonates
phosphoric acid esters, carboxylic
acid salts, Non toxic
Cationic  Positively charged, antibacterial
Types: 1) Long chain amines
(Natural oil, fats and synthetic
amines): Soluble in pH< 7 and
insoluble in pH >7. 2) Quaternary
ammonium salts: Stable in whole
pH range.
Nonionic  Hydrophilic head group,
 Types: alcohol ethoxylates,
alkylphenol ethoxylates,
alkanolamides and sugar surfactants,
Non toxic
Zwitterionic  Positive or negative depending upon
pH Phospholipids that constitute
biomembranes that Zwitterionic
Gemini  Two hydrophobic chain and
hydrophilic groups attached through
spacer unit.
 Types: 1) Anionic 2) Cationic 3)
Nonionic 4) Zwitterionic 5) Hetero
Silicone  Methylated siloxane hydrophobic
group.
 One or more polar group
Bola form  Two hydrophilic groups connected
by a long linear polymethylene
hydrophobic chain.
Hybrid  Hydrocarbon and a fluorocarbon
chain
Application Examples
 As detergents in petroleum oil e.g. Sodium dodecyl sulfate
recovery operation, As in
contaminant hydrogeology
remediation
 As sanitizing and antiseptic e.g. Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide
agents, antistatic agent, cosmetic
formulation, textile softener,
corrosion inhibitors, form
depressants, flotation chemicals,
petroleum derivatives
 Good solubilizer e.g. Polyoxyethylene(4) lauryl ether
 Widespread use in petroleum and
environmental applications
 Pharmaceutical industry, Paint e.g. Lecithin
industry, In animal feed, Textile
industry
 To modify different types of e.g N,N’-bis(dimethyldodecyl)-1,4-butanediammonium
chemical reaction dibromide
 Antibacterial agents
 As adhesives, Emulsion, e.g. Silicone – polyoxyethylene block copolymer
Antifoams
e.g. Hexadecanediyl-1,16-bis(trimethyl ammonium bromide)
+ +
B r (C H 3 ) 3 N N ( C H 3 )3 B r
 Novel emulsifiers for water-in- e.g. (C7H15)(C7F15)CHSO4–Na+
supercritical CO2 microemulsion
system, tooth surface modifier