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Hydrotropic properties of some short‐chain alkylbenzene‐ and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates
Author(s) -
Burns Robert L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of surfactants and detergents
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.349
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1558-9293
pISSN - 1097-3958
DOI - 10.1007/s11743-999-0060-0
Subject(s) - chemistry , pulmonary surfactant , cumene , linear alkylbenzene , cloud point , critical micelle concentration , viscosity , sulfonate , nonionic surfactant , xylene , surface tension , toluene , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , naphthalene , micelle , aqueous solution , thermodynamics , sodium , benzene , biochemistry , physics , engineering
Alkylbenzene sulfonates based on toluene, xylene and cumene, and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates act as hydrotropes in surfactant systems. One measure of hydrotropicity is the amount of hydrotrope required to clear a cloudy detergent formulation; some hydrotropes are more effective than others, depending on the surfactant formulation. Another measure is the modification of the viscosity of surfactant formulations; the change in the viscosity depends on the amount and type of hydrotrope used and on the specific formulation involved. Additionally, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate hydrotropes change the solubility of nonionic surfactants in water, and both types of hydrotrope raise the cloud point of nonionic surfactant solutions; however, the naphthalene‐based hydrotropes are more efficient. Ross‐Miles foam test data are used to compare the foam characteristics of different alkylnaphthalene sulfonates. A critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined for the alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, but although alkylbenzene sulfonates do show some surface activity, a CMC could not be found for these materials.