Synthesis and characterization of the physicochemical properties of non-ionic surfactants: study of the influence of alkyl chain branching and the degree of ethoxylation-propoxylation.

Identifier:  TFG:9046

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG9046

Authors:  Frixach Bosquet, Aida

Abstract:
Ethoxylated alcohols are non-ionic surfactants with excellent performance. The surfactants reduce the equilibrium surface tension, have good wettability and an extraordinary emulsifying power, which makes them suitable for specific applications. In this work, a series of branched non-ionic surfactants (ethoxylated and propoxylated) are synthesized using 2-propyl-1-heptanol and 1-isotridecanol with different proportions of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) using KOH as a catalyst. The physicochemical properties and performance in applications of these alcohols are systematically investigated according to the percentage of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. A complete analysis of their properties as surfactants is carried out, comparing their viscosity, dynamic surface tension, foaming properties and wetting power among the surfactants created. In addition, surface activity parameters such as surface tension and critical micellar concentration (CMC) are determined.