Specialty chemical suppliers are those who supply specialty chemicals needed by different industries. For the cleaning and detergent industries, surfactants are chemicals that form a major source for the manufacturing process. Amino acid based surfactants are popular specialty chemicals used to prepare detergent products. Surfactants are used as detergents since they have a head that retains water and a tail that attaches itself to grime and dirt and removes it, thereby ensuring the cleaning effect.
The four types of surfactants
When we look at surfactant products manufactured by specialty chemical suppliers, we find that there are four main types:
1. Cationic surfactants
These surfactants have a positive charge on the molecule head. This makes it useful to make anti-static products like fabric softeners. These type of surfactants are also used to make disinfectants. Example: Alkyl ammonium chloride.
2. Anionic surfactants
In these surfactants, the head has a negative charge on it. This allows it to lift and suspend soil and grime and can create good foam. This is why these surfactants (eg: alkylbenzene sulfonic acid) are used in the manufacture of detergents and soaps.
3. Non-ionic surfactants
As the name indicates, non-ionic surfactants ha no charge and are neutral charged. These types of surfactants (for example, ethoxylates and cocamides) are used to emulsify oil. They are also in products to remove organic soil during the cleaning process.
4. Zwitterionic surfactants
Also known as amphoteric surfactants, these have a double charge. The hydrophilic head of the surfactant molecule would have both a positive charge as well as a negative charge. This results in the charges being cancelled out. Betaines and amino oxides are examples of these kinds of surfactants. These surfactants are commonly used to make shampoos and cosmetic products.
Amino acid based surfactants are one of the key products used in the detergent industry and specialty chemical manufactures can supply these products.
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