Amphoteric surfactants are zwitterionic, meaning their polar head group carries both positive and negative charges, resulting in a net zero charge. Generally, amphoteric surfactants are characterized by low toxicity, low irritation to eyes and skin, tolerance to hard water, excellent foaming properties, and compatibility with other surfactants. Due to these unique features, their performance in formulations depends on the pH level: in acidic environments, amphoteric surfactants exhibit more cationic properties, while in alkaline conditions, they behave like anionic surfactants. Given their dual nature, amphoteric surfactants are compatible with all other types of surfactants.
| By Anionic Component Type | Carboxylate type: -COOM | Amino Acid Type: R-NH-CH2CH2COOH Betaine Type: R-N+(CH3)2COO- Imidazoline Type:  |
| Sulfonate Type: -SO3M | Amino Acid Type: R-NH(CH2)3SO3Na Betaine Type: R-N+(CH3)2-CH2CH2CH2SO3- Imidazoline Type:  | |
| Sulfate Ester Type: -OSO3M | Amino Acid Type: R-NHCH2OH-CH2OSO3Na Betaine Type: R-N+(CH3)2-CH2CH2CH2OSO3- Imidazoline Type:  | |
| Phosphate Ester Type | Monoester:  Diester:  | |
| By Overall Chemical Structure | Betaine Type |  Anion: sulfonic acid group, sulfate ester group, etc. Cation: phosphorus and sulfur, etc. |
| Imidazoline Type |  | |
| Amino Acid Type |  N-Alkyl-β-aminopropionic acid  N-Alkyl-ɑ-iminocarboxylic acid | |
| Amine Oxides |  |
Amphoteric surfactants exhibit both anionic and cationic surfactant properties and are often used as auxiliary ingredients rather than primary detergents. Their roles in detergents are mainly to improve the feel of washed items and to provide a softening effect. Certain amphoteric surfactants have excellent foaming abilities and are stable in highly acidic solutions, making them suitable for acidic cleaners formulated with hydrofluoric acid.
Amino acid-based amphoteric surfactants are highly water-soluble, have excellent foaming and cleaning properties, and exhibit good affinity with proteins, leaving the skin feeling smooth. They are biodegradable and non-toxic, commonly used in synthetic detergents. This group primarily includes alkyl amino acid salts and N-acyl amino acids and their salts.
Alkyl Amino Acid Salts: Commonly used alkyl amino acid salts in synthetic detergents include sodium lauroamphoacetate and sodium lauroyl methylaminopropionate. These compounds dissolve easily in water, forming clear alkaline solutions and exhibiting similar properties to anionic surfactants, such as excellent foaming and cleansing abilities, along with good compatibility with various surfactants.
N-Acyl Amino Acid Salts: Sodium cocoyl lysinate is a representative of this type, easily soluble in water with good foaming and cleaning capabilities. It is compatible with anionic surfactants, mild to the skin, biodegradable, and suitable for various detergent formulations.
Betaine-based amphoteric surfactants are known for their excellent surface activity and broad application range. They are water-soluble, provide clear solutions, and offer diverse functionalities such as foaming, defoaming, emulsifying, dispersing calcium soap, bactericidal, softening, anti-static, and lubricating. These surfactants are hard water-resistant, mildly irritating to the skin, low in toxicity, and biodegradable.
Alkyl Betaine: Includes compounds such as cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, and myristyl betaine, widely used in various detergents. They not only enhance washing performance but also impart good softness and feel to fabrics, improving storage stability. In dry cleaning products, alkyl betaines effectively remove oil-soluble and water-soluble stains.
Sulfobetaine: Sulfobetaine and hydroxy-sulfobetaine have similar properties to alkyl betaines but provide superior hard water resistance and calcium soap dispersion. These characteristics enhance washing performance in detergent formulations while improving softness and foaming.
Imidazoline-based amphoteric surfactants are valued for their excellent water solubility and cleaning ability in various water conditions. They exhibit good foaming, calcium soap dispersion, and stability across a wide pH range. These surfactants also provide anti-static, softening, bactericidal, and metal corrosion resistance properties.
Imidazoline-based surfactants are mild, low in toxicity, and safe for use. They are compatible with anionic and nonionic surfactants and can form binary complexes, with minimal irritation at a 1:1 ratio with anionic surfactants. When combined with nonionic surfactants, they enhance the removal of oily dirt from synthetic fibers and significantly improve the cleaning of high-quality wool fabrics in dry cleaning. Widely used in household detergents, they are also employed in industrial cleaners for textiles, metals, hand sanitizers, medical equipment cleaners, and deodorizing cleansers.
Common types include Miranol CM, sulfonated imidazolines, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, and 2-alkyl phosphoester imidazoline.
Amine oxides are viscous yellow liquids that behave as nonionic surfactants in neutral and alkaline media and as cationic surfactants in acidic media. They dissolve easily in water and lower alcohols but are insoluble in mineral oils, benzene, ethers, and other nonpolar solvents and are highly hygroscopic. Known for their excellent foaming and foam stability, amine oxides produce fine and stable foam, which is further enhanced when combined with anionic surfactants. They also exhibit good emulsifying, wetting, lubricating, and anti-static properties, with mild, non-irritating effects on the skin. When blended with cationic surfactants, they produce non-irritating detergents with bactericidal properties and anti-static and conditioning qualities.
Common types include alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl diethanolamine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-alkyl morpholine oxide, and N,N-dimethyl-m-cresol oxide.
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