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Surfactants are organic compounds. They have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic nature and thus are categorised as amphiphilic. Surfactants diffuse in water and reduce the surface tension between air and water. This is one of the common properties of surfactants. The word surfactant was coined in and originates from the word surface-active agent. Some of the most common applications of surfactants include detergents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, etc.
How Do Surfactants Work?
When surfactants are added to a solution like water, for example, they start to combine. During this process, they form structures called micelles. When micelles are formed the hydrophilic part or the water-loving part exposes itself to the water surrounding it. Whereas the hydrophobic part comes together at the centre away from water. Different kinds of shapes are formed during this process by surfactants, these include; spheres, cylinders, bilayers, etc. It is the chemical nature of the surfactant that determines the shape of the structure formed by the surfactant. The basic nature of surfactants breaks the interface between water and other components like dirt and oil. This makes it useful for cleaning first and grease from clothes.
Surfactants consist of hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. When exposed to dirt and water, the hydrophilic part places itself toward the water, whereas the hydrophobic part places itself towards the dirt. The hydrophobic parts pull the dirt along with-it during micelle formation and thus dirt is removed from the cloth.
How Are Surfactants Made?
Surfactants are formed from glycerides that contain unsaturated and saturated carboxylic acids. These carboxylic acids usually have an even number of carbon atoms in them. The advantage of synthetic surfactants lies in their ability to work effectively in hard water. Whereas other surfactants have magnesium and calcium in it that will interact with hard water to produce scrum. In synthetic surfactants, these magnesium/calcium ions are replaced with another chemical component. Depending on which component is replaced in place of magnesium/calcium, there are various types of surfactants.
Types Of Surfactants
Anionic- If the hydrophilic end has a negative charge such surfactants are called anionic. Example- Sulphates
Cationic- If the hydrophilic end of surfactant has a positive charge it is called cationic. Example-Alkyl ammonium chlorides
Zwitterionic- If they both have both positive and negative charge kind of hydrophilic ends in a surfactant it is zwitterionic. Example-amino oxides
Non-ionic- If there is no charge attached to the hydrophilic end of the surfactant and it is neutral the surfactant is called a non-ionic surfactant. Example- cocamide
Harmful Effects Of Surfactants
Synthetic surfactants harm the environment in multiple ways. The negative environmental effects of synthetic surfactants, such as their high toxicity and low biodegradability are huge drawbacks considering the current situation of climate change and environmental degradation. These materials deplete aquatic microbial populations, harm fish and other aquatic life, impair plant photochemical energy conversion efficiency, and wreak havoc on waste-water treatment systems. With global surfactant usage exceeding 15 million tonnes per year and an estimated 60% of surfactant ending up in the aquatic environment, there is a pressing need for alternatives that have fewer negative environmental consequences.
Environment-friendly Surfactants
Surfactants (emulsifiers, foaming agents, etc.) come in a wide variety of forms. Surfactants have historically been man-made and are damaging to the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. Scientists have developed biodegradable surfactants to help mitigate this harmful impact.
Surfactants that dissolve easily in water and can be broken down by living creatures into non-toxic compounds are known as biodegradable surfactants. This ensures that surfactants are broken down in water treatment plants and do not infiltrate the ecosystem when wastewater is discharged into the land. However, just decomposing items in water does not guarantee that they are safe. Many chemicals have the potential to be exceedingly harmful to both humans and the environment. Surfactant degradation products have been linked to cancer and reproductive issues in the past.
What Are the Applications of Surfactants?
Some of the most common applications of surfactants are soaps and detergents. In addition, it is also used in emulsions, wetting before painting, galvanic baths, etc. Surfactants are used in the production of herbicides, cosmetics car lubricants, etc. It is also used for crude oil and medicine production.
Conclusion
We have understood that surfactants are chemical compounds that reduce surface tension between various kinds of liquids, solids, and gases. One of the most common applications of surfactants is in the form of soaps and detergents. Surfactant’s function is based on micelle formation. Based on the charge held by the hydrophilic part of the surfactant, there are four main types. These include -anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and nonionic. Surfactants are harmful to the environment and various life forms including humans in the long run. This created the need to form eco-friendly versions of surfactants.
