Ethoxylates

Overview of ethoxylates: Chemistry, types, reaction, HLB, Cloud point, properties and application.

1. An Overview of
Ethoxylates
Sudhansu Senapati

2. Produced by ethoxylation process
Ethylene oxide reacts with different
compounds like acids, amines, alcohols and
phenols
Forms a hydrophobic (Carbon chain)tail and
hydrophilic head(ethoxylate)
2
What is ethoxylate?

3. 3
HLB of ethoxylate dispersants
HLB value depends on degree of ethoxylation.
When degree of ethoxylation increase, the hydrophilic part increase.
Modifying the tail (a longer or more branched bulky chain) increases hydrophobicity.
HLB 9-11: Good wetting agent (Alcohol ethoxylate C12 –14 (EO)
n,n=4 -7)
HLB 11-14: Good wetting and dispersing properties (Alcohol ethoxylate C13 (EO)
n,n=7-10)
HLB> 14: Good dispersing agents (EO)
n,n >10)

4. 4
HLB of ethoxylated products
HLB of Ethoxylatedproducts
HLB
Moles of
EO
Application Behaviorwith water
1 -4
1-3
Anti foaming agents No dispersibility
3 –6 W/Oemulsifying agents Poor dispersion
6 -8
4 -7
Wetting and dispersing
agents
Milky dispersion after stirring
8 -10 O/W emulsifying agents Stable milky dispersion
10 -13 7-10 Detergents
From translucent to clear
dispersion
13 -18 >12 Solubilizing agents Clear solution

5. 5
Cloud point of ethoxylates
Cloud point –Minimum temperature, above which aqueous solution of a water
soluble surfactant becomes turbid or cloudy.
Non ionic dispersants are most effective near or below their cloud point.
Cloud points range from 0-100⁰C, limited by freezing and boiling point.
Storage temperature higher than cloud point results in phase separation/instability.
Low foam application —Cloud point is less than the application temperature.
Standard foam application—Cloud point is higher than the application
temperature.

6. Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates
Fatty Amine Ethoxylates
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates
Fatty Acid Ethoxylates
Methyl ester ethoxylates
Oil Ethoxylates
6
Types of ethoxylates

7. Produced by reaction of Alkylphenols with ethylene oxide.
Alkylphenols are obtained by alkylation of phenols with alkenes.
Different types of Alkylphenols—
Nonyl phenol
Octyl phenol
Dodecyl phenol
7
Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates (APEO)

8. Widely used in oil, water soluble detergents, emulsifiers / co-emulsifiers, wetting and
dispersing agents in Paint, textile, agrochemical industry.
During biodegradation ethoxylate group detaches and alkyl phenols remain.
They are more stable and their toxicity increases with time.
Mainly toxic for aquatic organisms. Also acts as endocrine disruptors, hepatotoxin,
genotoxin on animals and humans.
Production of APEO is prohibited by EU. EPA has set limits for use of APEO
(Nonylphenol < 6.6 ug/l fresh water, 1.7 ug/l salt water)
8
Properties of APEOs

9. Produced by reaction of Fatty amines with ethylene oxide.
Fatty amines are obtained by reaction of fatty acid with ammonia.
Different types of Fatty amine are,
Tallow amines
Coco amines
Stearlyamines
Oleylamines
Used as wetting and dispersing agents, stabilizers, sanitizers and defoaming
agents in textile, paper, drilling, chemical, paint, metal etc. industries
9
Fatty Amine ethoxylates

10. Produced by reaction of Fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide
A primary straight chain alcohol derived from natural fats and oils.
Different types of Fatty alcohols are,
Laurlyalcohol
Stearlyalcohol
Oleylalcohol
10
Fatty Alcohol ethoxylates

11. Produced by reaction of Fatty acid with ethylene oxide
Fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with long saturated and unsaturated aliphatic chain
derived from animals/vegetable oil and fats.
Different types of Fatty acids are,
Coconut fatty acid
Lauricacid
Oleic acid
Stearic acid
11
Fatty Acid ethoxylates

12. Produced by reaction of Fatty acid methyl ester with ethylene oxide
Fatty acid methyl ester is derived by transesterification of fatty acids with methanol
in an alkaline environment
They are low foaming than FAEs with comparable wetting properties (With equivalent
alkyl chain length)
Limited stability in the presence of inorganic acid (pH 3-9)
Cloud point increases with increasing degree of ethoxylation.
Used in liquid detergents, cleaners and as non ionic surfactant
12
Methyl ester ethoxylates

13. Produced when different types of oil react with ethylene Oxide
Different types of Oil used in reaction.
Natural oil
Vegetable oil
Caster oil
Silicon oil
Amino oil
Vegetable oil ethoxylates are made by ethoxylation of triglycerides with
ethylene oxide.
13
Oil ethoxylates

14. Thank You