Fluorinated Surfactants

Fluorinated surfactants are highly efficient surface-active agents that incorporate fluorine atoms—typically in perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkyl chains—into their molecular structure. Due to the exceptionally strong carbon–fluorine bond, these surfactants exhibit superior performance over traditional hydrocarbon-based surfactants in aspects such as surface tension reduction, wetting and spreading, anti-fouling, and water/oil repellency. Even at very low concentrations, they can significantly lower surface tension, making them ideal for applications demanding high surface performance, including electronics manufacturing, fine chemicals, functional coatings, and fire suppression systems.

List of Fluorinated Surfactants Request a Quote

CharacteristicsComparisonProductsApplicationsUsage and CompatibilityServiceSafetyWorkflowCase StudyFAQOnline Inquiry

Characteristics and Product Advantages

Ultra-low surface tension

Reduces aqueous solution surface tension to as low as 15–20 mN/m, greatly enhancing wetting and spreading performance.

Outstanding chemical and thermal stability

Excellent resistance to heat, oxidation, acids, and bases, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments.

Anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties

The fluorinated chain structure provides exceptional resistance to dirt, oil, and fingerprints.

High efficiency at low dosage

Effective at ppm levels, offering cost-effective performance.

Broad compatibility

Suitable for aqueous, organic solvent, and mixed systems.

Fluorinated vs. Traditional Hydrocarbon Surfactants

Performance Indicator	Fluorinated Surfactants	Traditional Hydrocarbon Surfactants
Surface Activity	Extremely high; can reduce surface tension to 15–20 mN/m at very low concentrations (e.g., 0.01%)	Lower activity; requires higher concentrations to significantly reduce surface tension (typically >30 mN/m)
Thermal Stability	Excellent; suitable across a wide temperature range	Limited stability; susceptible to degradation at high temperatures
Chemical Stability	Resistant to strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents	Easily degraded under extreme pH or in the presence of oxidants
Hydrophobic/Oleophobic Properties	Outstanding water-, oil-, and stain-repellent performance	Moderate; limited water and oil repellency
Application Range	Ideal for high-end and industrial applications requiring exceptional stability and surface properties	Commonly used in standard cleaning, emulsification, and general-purpose scenarios

Fluorinated Surfactants We Offer

1. Perfluorinated Surfactants

These surfactants feature fully fluorinated alkyl chains and offer superior performance. Representative products include:

2. Semi-Fluorinated Surfactants

These surfactants have partially fluorinated structures, balancing performance and environmental considerations. Representative structures include:

3. Fluorinated Block Copolymers

These multifunctional polymers are suitable for high-end coatings and film applications. Representative structures include:

Fluorinated Acrylate and Methacrylate Polymers: Used in surfactants and surface protection products.
Fluorinated Polyurethane Polymers: Offer excellent elasticity and stability, suitable for various industrial applications.

What Are the Application Areas of Fluorinated Surfactants?

Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing

Additives in photoresist developers, cleaning agents, and etchants to enhance resolution and uniformity of microstructures.

Coatings & Inks

Essential in formulations for leveling control, anti-cratering, anti-fingerprint, and anti-graffiti properties.

Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP)

Function as dispersants and wetting agents to optimize particle distribution and surface finish.

Metal Processing

Reduce surface tension of machining fluids to improve penetration and processing efficiency.

Firefighting Foam Systems

Used in AFFF and FFFP foams to rapidly suppress fires and block flammable vapor release.

Textile & Leather Treatment

Impart water, oil, and stain resistance to enhance product value.

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Applied as microemulsion carriers and nanoparticle stabilizers, showing potential in drug delivery systems.

Usage Recommendations and Compatibility Guidelines

Recommended Dosage

0.001–0.1 wt%, adjustable based on system requirements More...

Fluorinated surfactants are highly effective at low concentrations (typically 0.001%–0.1%). At 0.005%–0.1%, they can reduce water surface tension from 72 mN/m to below 20 mN/m, or even down to 15 mN/m. In contrast, traditional hydrocarbon surfactants usually require concentrations of 0.1%–1.0% to achieve similar effects, and even at 0.1%, they often cannot reduce surface tension below 25 × 10-5 N·cm-1. This high efficiency at low dosage is a significant advantage of fluorinated surfactants.

Excellent Compatibility

Suitable for polar, non-polar, and mixed systems More...

Fluorinated surfactants generally show excellent compatibility with other types of surfactants:

Nonionic fluorinated surfactants are compatible with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants but may have slightly lower chemical stability.
Fluorocarbon-based surfactants, due to their chemical robustness, do not adversely affect formulation stability and can be blended with various conventional surfactants.
Synergistic blending with non-fluorinated surfactants can enhance performance and reduce overall usage cost. For example, SF1728, a nonionic fluorosurfactant, provides strong surface tension reduction in both aqueous and solvent systems, remains stable in acidic and hard water conditions, and is compatible with all ionic surfactants.
This flexibility makes fluorinated surfactants highly adaptable in formulation design.

Precautions

pH and metal ion sensitivity—small-scale testing recommended More...

Metal ion sensitivity: Some fluorinated surfactants may react with certain metal ions, potentially reducing performance. Formulators should avoid incompatible ions during development.
High-temperature conditions: Although generally stable at elevated temperatures, extreme heat may still degrade certain fluorinated surfactants. Proper selection and validation are advised for high-temperature applications.

Professional Service Support

As a leading supplier of surfactants, we not only offer high-quality surfactant products but also provide a range of professional services to ensure you receive maximum support throughout your research and production processes. For more detailed information about our services, please visit our service page.

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Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Our range of fluorinated surfactants is free of PFOS and PFOA and complies with major regulatory standards:

EU REACH Registration

RoHS Compliance Declaration

Listed under U.S. TSCA

Complete documentation support: MSDS, safety, and toxicological data available

We also offer environmentally friendly alternatives, such as short-chain fluorinated or fluorine-free surfactants, to support sustainable development.

Services and Support

Free Sample Request

Laboratory testing and evaluation supported

Technical Support

Experienced engineers available for formulation design and optimization

Fast Delivery

Standard products ship within 2–5 business days

Complete Documentation

MSDS, TDS, COA, and other technical documents provided

What Success Stories Can We Share?

Discover how our products are applied in real-world scenarios through our case studies.

Case 1: Perfluorooctylethyl Triethoxysilane for Anti-Fingerprint Coating on Glass

Client Background

An electronics glass processing company developing high-end anti-smudge and anti-fingerprint coatings for smart device panels.

Project Needs

Existing formulation lacked hydrophobicity and adhesion, and experienced transparency loss during mass production. Client sought modification using fluorosilane agents.

Solution

Client selected our Perfluorooctylethyl Triethoxysilane for sol-gel system modification. After lab validation, it entered pilot-scale trials.

Results

Water contact angle increased from 93° to 118°
Oil stains significantly reduced; testers said "fingerprints wipe off effortlessly"
Coating passed abrasion resistance tests, ready for mass production

Client Feedback

"This material solved a months-long bottleneck. Internally we call it the ‘clutch assist’. We're planning to apply it to another anti-smudge glass project."

Case 2: Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether Enhances Penetration in Cleaning Fluids

Client Background

A manufacturer of precision optical and microelectronic modules needing a cleaning solution with strong penetration for intricate internal structures.

Pain Point

Particles remained in narrow gaps inside modules, lowering product yield due to ineffective cleaning with current solutions.

Solution

We recommended Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether for developing a new low-surface-tension cleaning fluid.

Results

Surface tension reduced to 14.5 mN/m
Penetrated microstructures smaller than 0.2 mm
Residual contaminants reduced by ~70%, significantly boosting yield

Client Feedback

"We tried it out with low expectations, but the results were surprisingly good. It's now a core additive in our formula, and we're exploring more uses."

Case 3: Sodium Perfluorooctanoate in Industrial Emulsion Polymerization

Client Background

A coatings company specializing in functional fluoropolymer emulsions for heavy-duty anti-corrosion applications.

Project Needs

The existing emulsifier caused excessive foaming and unstable particle size, leading to poor film adhesion and anti-corrosion performance. The client aimed to reformulate.

Solution

We supplied Sodium Perfluorooctanoate as the main emulsifier, along with adjusted polymerization conditions.

Results

Particle size stabilized around 90 nm with narrow distribution
Improved film density, passed 1200-hour salt spray test with no blistering or peeling
Reduced foaming, greatly improving handling and application

Client Feedback

"We didn’t expect such a small emulsifier change to improve process stability this much. Our production operators now say it’s 'worry-free'. We plan to extend this to other product lines."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are fluorinated surfactants far more hydrophobic and oleophobic than conventional surfactants?

Fluorinated surfactants contain perfluoroalkyl chains (e.g., CF₃, CF₂), which have ultra-low polarizability and high molecular symmetry, resulting in extremely low surface energy (typically <20 mN/m). These structures repel both water and oil, making them ideal for superhydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces.

Q2: Do fluorinated surfactants compromise emulsion polymerization stability?

No. Properly selected fluorinated surfactants (e.g., Sodium Perfluorooctanoate) form stable emulsions even at low concentrations. Their low critical micelle concentration (CMC) and strong interfacial activity help control particle size and enhance system stability—provided they’re compatible with other formulation components like emulsifiers or initiators.

Q3: Are fluorinated surfactants prone to foaming? How can foaming be managed in coatings or cleaning systems?

Most fluorinated surfactants are inherently low-foaming. However, foaming may still occur during stirring or spraying. Control strategies include:

Blending with polyether or nonionic defoamers
Selecting fluorinated surfactants with antifoam structures (e.g., ethoxy-terminated types)
Keeping concentrations at the minimum effective level
Choosing the right product is essential.

Q4: Can fluorinated surfactants withstand high temperatures, such as in heat-cured coatings or thermal reaction systems?

It depends on the molecular structure. Short-chain, thermally stable fluorosurfactants (e.g., certain perfluoroethers) can withstand 200–300 °C, making them suitable for heat-cured systems. In contrast, surfactants with hydrolyzable groups (e.g., silanes) should be used below 150 °C. Thermal stability tests (e.g., TGA) are recommended.

Q5: Are all fluorinated surfactants environmentally friendly? How can safer options be selected?

Not all are eco-friendly. Traditional long-chain (C8 or more) surfactants like PFOA are persistent and potentially toxic. We recommend using short-chain (C6 or less) fluorinated alternatives (e.g., Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether), which offer a better balance of performance and safety. All our products come with MSDS and regulatory-compliant documentation to guide safe selection.

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