Lab Report

Give examples of surfactants and their classification

Examples of Surfactants Classification Activity
Nonoxynol-9 Nonionic Spermacide
Polysorbate Nonionic Food Ingredient
Darvan Anionic Concrete plasticizer,
plasterboard, DMSO
Calsoft Anionic Laundry detergents,
dishwasher detergents
Empigen HBC 40 Cationic Antistatic quaternary
surfactant
Apriquat HD 29% Cationic Antistatic quaternary
surfactant, thickener
Lauryl betaine Amphoteric Skin-conditioning agent
Sodium Amphoteric Anti-microbial
hydroxymethylglycinate preservative in cosmetics

What will happen to the hydrophilic and lipophilic part of an active molecule
when dispersed in the water?
When the hydrophilic and lipophilic part of an active molecule is dispersed in
water, the surfactants orientate themselves at the surface in order for the
lipophilic region to be removed from the aqueous environment. This results to a
reduction in surface tension as the water molecules are being replaced by the
surfactant molecules in the surface. In line with this, the forces of attraction
between the surfactant and water molecules are quite low, reducing the
contraction force between the molecules (Attwood & Florence, 2008).
Other than the interaction of the active molecule with water, surfactants may also
adsorb at interfaces between two immiscible liquids such as oil and water. These
surfactants will orientate themselves in such a way that the hydrophilic part
interacts with water and the lipophilic part interacts with oil. Due to such similar
imbalance of attractive forces, the interfacial tension will be reduced from the
adsorption (Attwood & Florence, 2008).

References:
Cationic surfactants | STOCKMEIER Chemie. (2020). STOCKMEIER Holding.
https://www.stockmeier.com/en/products/chemical-distribution-production/
specialty-chemicals/home-industrial-care/cationic-surfactants/

Florence, A., & Attwood, D. (2008). Physical Pharmacy: Fast Track. PharmaPress.
https://www.pharmpress.com/files/docs/FTphyspharm_sample.pdf

Hirsch, M. (2018, July 11). Surface Active Agents (Surfactants): Types and
Applications. Prospector Knowledge Center. https://knowledge.ulprospector.com/
3106/pc-surface-active-agents-surfactants/

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate CAS#: 70161-44-3. (2019). Chemical Book.

https://m.chemicalbook.com/ProductCatalog_EN/1813.htm