Impact of mild hydrophobe branching on performance of alcohol ethoxylates

Alcohol ethoxylates are a highly versatile class of non-ionic surfactants used in a wide variety of areas ranging from personal care to industrial applications. The performance of non-ionic surfactants can be tuned through multiple parameters such as the type and length of the hydrophilic head as well as the carbon chain length and branching of the hydrophobic tail.

The general impact of hydrophobe branching is well known. However, previous publications have often focused on comparisons between linear and highly branched hydrophobes. This work aims at studying the effect of mild hydrophobe branching on the performance of low- and medium-ethoxylated alcohol derivatives, such as the impact of branch location on surfactant properties.

A general assessment of non-ionic surfactant properties will be presented with a discussion of which performance parameters are impacted by mild branching. A study of surfactant wetting properties is also included, relying on the use of a goniometer for contact angle measurements of surfactants solutions onto various substrates. Finally, Hydrophilic Lipophilic Deviation (HLD) characteristics as a function of mild branching will be shared.
Overall, this in-depth study provides insights on how mild branching levels in the hydrophobic tail impact the properties of derived ethoxylated surfactants and their various end uses.