Understanding Surfactants: Classification and Applications
SURFACTANT AND ITS CLASSIFICATION Surfactants are substances that reduce the surface tension (also called interfacial tension) between two liquids, a gas and a liquid, or a liquid and a solid. The term "surfactant" is an acronym for "surface active agents," which are compounds with dual hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity features. The name itself implies the surface activity of these classes of compounds and their propensity to adsorb at interfaces. The polar component, also known as the hydrophilic part or hydrophile, demonstrates a strong affinity for or attraction to polar solvents. The nonpolar portion is known as a hydrophobe or lipophile because it is attracted to oil. [1-5] Amphiphiles or tensides are other names for surfactants. More than 50 years ago, Paul Winsor was the first person to use the term "amphiphile." There are two Greek roots in it. Tensioactif is the name given to surfactant in French; tenside to it in German; and tensioactivo to it ...