Cationic Surfactants, an ingredient with good sterilization, algae killing, mildew prevention, softening, antistatic, and conditioning properties. Its roles in detergent products include: fabric softeners, germicides, antistatic agents, and conditioners.
Commonly used cationic surfactants in detergents include alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, ester quaternary ammonium salts, and polymeric cationic surfactants. Among them, quaternary ammonium salts are the largest in production and most widely used, mainly as softeners, antistatic agents, germicides, etc.
Seven Common Cationic Surfactants Are Introduced Below
Dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride - Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC/1227)
(Trade name: BKC/1227/Benzyldimethylammonium chloride)
Properties: Benzalkonium chloride has good foaming and chemical stability, heat resistance, light resistance, and various functions such as sterilization, emulsification, antistatic, softening, conditioning, etc. It is soluble in water and not affected by water hardness, but 1227 is prone to moisture absorption when exposed to air for a long time. In terms of safety, it does not accumulate in the body, but has minor irritant effects on the eyes and skin.
Applications: Fabric softeners and antistatic agents, disinfectants for restaurants, food processing equipment, can also be used as algaecides, germicides, etc.
Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC/1631)
(Trade name: CTAC/1631)
Properties: Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride has good antistatic and softening properties, as well as excellent germicidal and mildew resistant effects. It is slightly irritating to the eyes.
Applications: Hair conditioners and fabric softeners, can also be used as germicidal disinfectants.
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine (S18/1831)
(Trade name: S18/1831)
Properties: Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine has excellent permeability, softening, antistatic, and germicidal properties, soluble in alcohols and hot water, poor detergency and foaming properties. It has minimal irritancy in terms of safety.
Applications: 1831 is a major component of hair conditioners, can also be used as an antistatic agent, germicide, and disinfectant for synthetic fibers.
Methyl dihydroxyethyl palmitamidethyl -2-hydroxyethyl sulfate ammonium salt
Properties: Grey-white paste or solid, with good storage stability, easy dispersion in cold water, can be formulated into a dispersion with 2.5% - 3.0% in the presence of a small amount of electrolyte, excellent rewetting properties.
Applications: Household and industrial fabric softeners, laundry softeners, etc.
N-methyl-N-stearamide-2-hydroxyethyl imidazoline sulfate salt
Properties: Viscous liquid that becomes clear at 50°C. Has excellent softening, antistatic properties, good rewetting and biodegradability.
Applications: Soft detergents and fabric softeners.
Polyquaternium
(Trade name: PQ-7/10/22/39)
Properties: Has hair care, conditioning, styling effects, and moisturizing effects on the skin.
Applications: Hair care cosmetics and skin care cosmetics.
In shampoos and hair conditioners, a low concentration can have a good effect, enhance and stabilize foam, provide excellent lubricity, easy combing, and shine to the hair. The concentration used in shampoos is 0.5% - 5%. In hair styling gels and lotions, it can provide high slipperiness to the hair, maintain curls firm and not loose, give softness, health, and shine to the hair, at an addition of approximately 1% - 5%.
In skincare products such as shaving creams, shower gels, and deodorants, it can be added in a concentration of approximately 0.5% - 5%.
Gura hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride
(Trade name: C14S)
Properties: Has conditioning effects on hair and skin. When used as a conditioning agent, it can enhance the effects of anionic surfactants.
Applications: Can be used as a shampoo thickener, emulsifier, fabric softener, etc.
