Alkyl Ethoxylate (AE or AEO) is a type of nonionic surfactant. They are compounds prepared by the reaction of long-chain fatty alcohols and ethylene oxide. AEO has good wetting, emulsifying, dispersing and detergency properties and is widely used in industry.
The following are some of the main roles of an AEO:
Washing and Cleaning: Due to its excellent stain removal ability, AEO is widely used in the manufacture of various detergents and cleaning products, such as washing powder, dishwashing liquid, liquid detergent, etc.
Emulsifier: AEO can act as an emulsifier when mixing oil and water phases, helping to form a stable emulsion, which is very important in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care products.
Dispersants: In coatings, inks and other formulations, AEOs can help disperse pigments and other solid particles to ensure product stability and uniformity.
Wetting agent: AEO can reduce the surface tension of liquids, making it easier for them to wet solid surfaces. This property is important in areas such as textile processing and agricultural chemicals (such as pesticide sprays).
Softeners: Certain types of AEO are also used as softeners in fiber treatment to improve the feel of fabrics.
Antistatic agent: Some AEO products can be used as antistatic treatment for plastics, fibers and other materials.
Solubilizer: AEO can increase the solubility of poorly soluble substances in water, so it is often used as a solubilizing agent in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Industrial applications: In addition to the above-mentioned fields, AEO also has important applications in metalworking fluids, paper chemicals, leather processing and other industries.
It is important to note that different types of AEO (depending on their average polyoxyethylene chain length) will have different performance characteristics and are suitable for specific applications. Selecting the right AEO type is critical to achieving the best results.
Post time: Jan-03-2025