Amphoteric Surfactants
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Amphoteric surfactants are unique surface-active agents that can act as either anionic or cationic surfactants depending on the pH of the solution. These molecules contain both acidic (carboxyl or sulfonic) and basic (amine or quaternary ammonium) functional groups, giving them high versatility, mildness, and compatibility with other surfactants. Amphoteric surfactants are widely used in personal care, household cleaning, industrial applications, pharmaceuticals, and specialty formulations where low irritation and effective cleansing are critical. Common examples include Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Lauryl Betaine.
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Amphoteric Surfactants
Primary Uses
- Personal Care & Cosmetics
- Shampoos & Conditioners: Provide mild cleansing, excellent foam, and compatibility with skin and hair.
- Facial Cleansers & Body Washes: Offer gentle cleansing without stripping natural oils.
- Baby Products: Preferred in baby shampoos and body washes due to low irritation potential.
- Shaving Creams & Lotions: Aid in foam stabilization and improve skin feel.
- Household Cleaning Products
- Dishwashing Liquids: Enhance foaming and grease-cutting while being gentle on hands.
- All-Purpose Cleaners: Used for their ability to remove dirt while being non-corrosive and mild.
- Laundry Detergents: Improve wetting and soil removal, especially in sensitive skin formulas.
- Industrial & Institutional Cleaning
- Hard Surface Cleaners: Effective in low to moderate pH environments, compatible with disinfectants.
- Car Wash Soaps: Provide thick foam and reduce surface tension without damaging paint or wax coatings.
- Metal Cleaners: Aid in removing oil and particulates without causing corrosion.
- Textile & Leather Processing
- Used as wetting agents, dye leveling agents, and softeners in textile finishing.
- Employed in leather degreasing and treatment processes.
- Pharmaceutical Formulations
- Used in topical creams, emulsions, and transdermal delivery systems for stability and emulsification.
- Present in ophthalmic solutions and skin cleansers.
Secondary Uses
- Oil & Gas Industry
- Utilized as emulsifiers and foam stabilizers in enhanced oil recovery and drilling fluids.
- Help reduce interfacial tension in oil-water systems.
- Agricultural Chemicals
- Added to pesticide and herbicide formulations to improve spreadability, wetting, and leaf coverage.
- Help reduce phytotoxicity in foliar sprays.
- Electroplating & Metal Finishing
- Aid in degreasing and preparing metal surfaces without harsh corrosion.
- Paints & Coatings
- Used as dispersing agents to maintain pigment stability and improve flow properties.
- Help reduce surface tension in waterborne coatings.
- Firefighting Foams
- Improve the foam formation and spreadability in Class A and B firefighting foams.
- Printing Inks
- Used to control ink flow and reduce surface defects.
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Family: Surfactants containing both anionic and cationic groups
- Common Types: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Amphoacetates, Amphopropionates
- CAS Number: Varies by specific compound (e.g., Cocamidopropyl Betaine: 61789-40-0)
- HS Code: Typically 3402.90.10 (surface-active agents)
- Synonyms: Zwitterionic surfactants, dual-charge surfactants
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear to pale yellow viscous liquid (depends on specific surfactant)
- Odor: Mild or characteristic fatty odor
- pH: Amphoteric behavior – cationic in acidic, anionic in alkaline conditions
- Solubility: Fully soluble in water
- Surface Tension: Typically reduces surface tension to 25–35 mN/m
- Foam Properties: High foaming; stable and fine-textured foam
- Biodegradability: Generally readily biodegradable
- Stability: Stable in wide pH range (3–10), compatible with electrolytes and other surfactants
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Generally not hazardous; varies by specific chemical
- NFPA Ratings (typical): Health 1, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0
- Toxicity: Low dermal and oral toxicity
- Sensitization: Very low irritation to eyes and skin, non-sensitizing in most cases
- Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers and highly acidic or alkaline materials can degrade some amphoterics
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from sunlight
- Shelf Life: 12–24 months depending on specific compound and storage conditions
- Packaging: HDPE drums, IBCs, or sealed containers
- Handling Precautions: Use gloves and goggles when handling concentrated materials
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- FDA (USA): Some amphoterics are approved for indirect food contact
- EU (REACH): Registered substances depending on compound
- Cosmetic Regulations: Approved for use in cosmetics (e.g., INCI-listed in EU and US)
- Environmental Regulations: Must comply with discharge and biodegradability standards
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Low aquatic toxicity; however, always assess specific compound data
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
- Human Exposure: Safe for routine use in cosmetics and cleaning products
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing.
- Ventilation: Use in well-ventilated area to avoid aerosol formation.
- Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not ingest or contact eyes.
- Storage: Keep in original containers, sealed, and away from moisture and direct sunlight.
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Seek medical advice if irritation occurs.
- Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if applicable.
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed by a physician.
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazard: Non-flammable. May emit fumes under thermal decomposition.
- Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂.
- Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for large fires.
- Decomposition Products: May release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Related products
Cetomacrogel 1000BP
Cetomacrogel 1000BP is a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivative, typically used as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. It appears as a white to off-white, waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. Known for its excellent water solubility and compatibility with various ingredients, Cetomacrogel 1000BP enhances texture, viscosity, and stability in creams, ointments, and gels. It serves as a hydrophilic vehicle base in topical and oral pharmaceutical preparations and improves product spreadability and skin feel.
Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20)
Cetomacrogol PEG (Ginonic CSA) is a polyethylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant and emulsifier with an average molecular weight of approximately 1000 Da. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. This high-quality grade is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care formulations due to its excellent emulsifying, solubilizing, and moisturizing properties. Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20) facilitates stable oil-in-water emulsions, improves product texture and skin feel, and enhances the bioavailability of active ingredients. Its hydrophilic nature and compatibility with a wide range of ingredients make it a versatile additive in creams, lotions, ointments, and topical gels.
Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride
Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC) is a cationic surfactant and quaternary ammonium compound characterized by a long hydrophobic cetyl (C16) alkyl chain and a positively charged ammonium head group. It appears as a white to pale yellow powder or flakes, soluble in water, and exhibits strong surface-active properties. CTAC is widely used in cosmetics, personal care, and industrial applications for its excellent conditioning, antistatic, emulsifying, and disinfectant capabilities. It functions primarily as a fabric softener, hair conditioner, and antimicrobial agent.
Emulsifier ( Emulgator) NP-9
Emulsifier ( Emulgator) NP-9 is a nonionic surfactant belonging to the family of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs), specifically with an average of 9 ethylene oxide (EO) units. It is widely used as an effective emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing agent. NP-9 is typically a pale yellow to amber viscous liquid, soluble in water and various organic solvents. It is valued for its strong emulsifying ability to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, excellent detergency, and good compatibility with other surfactants and formulation ingredients. NP-9 is commonly employed in industrial, agricultural, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and cleaning applications.
Emulsifying Wax Anionic
Emulsifying Wax Anionic is a versatile surfactant blend composed primarily of fatty alcohols (such as cetyl or stearyl alcohol) and anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate. It is designed to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions by reducing interfacial tension between water and oil phases. It appears as white to off-white solid flakes or pellets, with a mild fatty odor and is dispersible in water with agitation and mild heat. Known for its excellent emulsification, cleansing, and thickening properties, this emulsifying wax is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, household cleaners, and industrial applications.
Emulsifying Wax Non ionic
Emulsifying Wax Non ionic is a self-emulsifying, non-ionic wax blend composed primarily of fatty alcohols (typically cetostearyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol) and non-ionic surfactants like polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives. It is used to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions without relying on ionic charges, making it highly compatible with a wide range of ingredients, including both cationic and anionic components. This wax is commonly found in white, odorless solid flakes or pellets and is dispersible in hot water to form smooth, stable emulsions. It is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications where gentle emulsification, stability, and broad pH compatibility are needed.
Galsilk 700( polyquartenum 7)
Galsilk 700( polyquartenum 7) is a water-soluble cationic polymer known chemically as Polyquaternium-7. It is widely used as a conditioning agent in personal care and cosmetic formulations, prized for its excellent substantivity to hair and skin, providing softness, smoothness, and antistatic effects. This polymer is typically supplied as a clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid or gel. It is compatible with a broad range of surfactants and ingredients, enhancing the sensory profile of shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and skincare formulations. Galsilk 700 is also valued for its film-forming properties and ability to improve product stability.
Polyglycerol-10-Laurate
Polyglycerol-10-Laurate is a non-ionic, biodegradable surfactant and emulsifier derived from natural lauric acid and polyglycerol (with ten glycerol units). It is known for its excellent emulsifying, dispersing, and solubilizing properties, especially in oil-in-water systems. Commonly used in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, it is valued for being mild, non-toxic, and suitable for sensitive applications, including baby care and oral care.

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