Preface.

Glossary.

1 What Are Surfactants?.

1.1 History and Applications of Surfactants.

1.2Market Overview: Importance in Different Industries.

2 The Basic Theory.

2.1 The Molecular Structure of Surfactants.

2.2 Surface Activity.

2.3 Self Assembled Surfactant Aggregates.

2.4 Adsorption of Surfactants at Surfaces.

3 Applied Theory.

3.1 Introduction.

3.2 Detergency.

3.3 Phase Behaviour of Surfactants.

3.4 Emulsions.

3.5 Foaming and Defoaming.

3.6 Rheology of Surfactant Solutions.

4 Anionic Surfactants.

4.1 Sulphonates.

4.2 Sulphates.

4.3 Phosphate Esters.

4.4 Carboxylates.

5 Nonionic Surfactants.

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 General Alkoxylation Reactions.

5.3 Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates.

5.4 Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates.

5.5 Poloxyethylene Esters of Fatty Acids.

5.6 Methyl Ester Ethoxylates.

5.7 Polyalkylene Oxide Block Copolymers.

5.8 Amine Ethoxylaates.

5.9 Fatty Alkanolamides.

5.10 Amine Oxides.

5.11 Esters of Polyhydric Alcohols and Fatty Acids.

5.12 Glycol Esters.

5.13 Glycerol Esters.

5.14 Polyglycerol Esters.

5.15 Anhydrohexitol Esters.

5.16 Polyalkylene Polyol Esters.

5.17 Alkyl Polyglucosides.

5.18 Gemini Surfactants.

6 Other Types of Surfactants.

6.1 Cationic Surfactants.

6.2 Amphoteric Surfactants.

6.3 Silicone Surfactants.

6.4 Polymerisable Surfactants.

6.5 Fluorinated Surfactants.

7 Relevant European Legislation.

7.1 Biodegradability.

7.2 Classification and Labelling of Surfactants.

7.3 European Union New Chemicals Strategy.

7.4 Biocidal Products Directive.

8 Relevant Legislation, Australia, Japan and USA.

8.1 Australia.

8.2 Japan.

8.3 USA.

9 Surfactant Manufacturers.

Index