Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates manufactured by AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry are used globally in a wide variety of surfactant applications. The alcohol-based alkyl sulfates, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate, are used as wetting agents in textiles, foaming and cleaning agents in detergent, cosmetic emulsifiers, and sometimes in toothpastes. However, they cause skin and eye irritation, and are therefore not useful in products that are on the skin for a long time. Alkyl ether sulfates are based on alkoxylated alcohols; typically, they consist of several homologs, each having the hydrophobe (alkyl) connected to the hydrophilic group (sulfate) by a polyethylene oxide “bridge” (ether) of different chain length. Containing lower alkyl sulfate content, alkyl ether sulfate are less irritating. They are more compatible with other surfactants, and commonly used as cleaning agents and foaming and viscosity builders in shampoos and personal care products (such as bubble bath, shaving cream, ointment…).

AkzoNobel has both the alkoxylation and sulfation technologies to customize alkyl ether sulfates to meet specific requirements, such as ether sulfates with narrow distribution range and greatly reduced alkyl sulfate content (see below Figure), ether sulfates with customized low/high foam character, or ether sulfates as oil-soluble emulsifier.

Let us provide you the technical support to explore the many possibilities. Please contact your local AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry account manager, or visit us at the locations listed in this electronic publication.

By Giao Nguyen
Senior Scientist
Process and Product Research
Surface Chemistry Americas