LAURYL ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE 9 MOLE

Product Description

Lauryl alcohol ethoxylate with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) is a nonionic surfactant commonly used in various industrial, household, and personal care applications. It is produced by reacting lauryl alcohol (a C12 fatty alcohol) with 9 moles of ethylene oxide, resulting in a molecule with both hydrophobic (lauryl alcohol) and hydrophilic (ethoxylate chain) properties.

Key Characteristics:

1. Nonionic Surfactant: Does not ionize in water, making it stable in a wide pH range and compatible with other surfactants.

2. Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB): The HLB value for a 9-mole ethoxylate is typically around 13-14, making it suitable for emulsification, detergency, and wetting applications.

3. Solubility: Soluble in water and many organic solvents, with solubility increasing as the degree of ethoxylation increases.

4. Biodegradability: Generally biodegradable, though the rate depends on the specific structure and environmental conditions.

5. Mildness: Considered relatively mild, making it suitable for use in personal care products.

Applications:

1. Household and Industrial Cleaners:

   • Used in detergents, degreasers, and cleaning formulations due to its excellent emulsifying and wetting properties.

   • Effective in removing oils, greases, and dirt from surfaces.

2. Personal Care:

   • Found in shampoos, body washes, and skincare products as an emulsifier, foaming agent, or solubilizer.

   • Helps stabilize formulations and improve the sensory feel of products.

3. Textiles:

   • Used as a wetting agent, emulsifier, or dyeing assistant in textile processing.

   • Improves the penetration of dyes and other chemicals into fabrics.

4. Agriculture:

   • Acts as an adjuvant in pesticide formulations to enhance spreading, wetting, and sticking properties.

5. Emulsions:

   • Used in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions for various industrial applications, including coatings, paints, and lubricants.

Benefits:

• Excellent emulsifying and wetting properties.

• Stable in a wide range of pH conditions.

• Compatible with other surfactants and additives.

• Provides good foam stability and detergency.

Typical Properties:

• Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy liquid or paste, depending on temperature.

• pH (1% solution): Neutral (around 6-8).

• Cloud Point: The temperature at which the solution becomes cloudy (typically around 50-60C for a 9-mole ethoxylate).