KOLB
LOOKING FOR
Alternatives
WITH Imbentin
DETERGENT
Detergent alternatives from Kolb
Selected fatty alcohol ethoxylates from Kolb can be used as
non-ionic alternatives in powder or liquid detergent formulas.
The products under investigation are:
Imbentin-C/135/070
C1315 Alcohol (synthetic, semilinear) with 7 mole ethylene oxide
C11-18 Alcohol (synthetic, highlybranched, natural, linear) with 7
mole ethylene oxide
C12-14 Fatty alcohol (natural,
linear) with 7 mole ethylene oxide
C12-18 Fatty alcohol (natural,
linear) with 7 mole ethylene oxide
C11 Alcohol (synthetic, highlybranched) with 7 mole ethylene
oxide
Imbentin-UGM/070
Imbentin-AG/124S/070
Imbentin-AG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
2) Foaming power, 50°C, 0.5 g/l in deion. water
1) Foaming power, 25°C, 0.5 g/l in deion. water
350
350
300
300
Foam volume [ml]
Foam volume [ml]
To demonstrate differences in performance, we compare a
selection of products with varying hydrophobe structure, but
with the same hydrophilicity (cloud point). We compare
foaming, wetting under different conditions, selected static and
interfacial properties in graph form.
An overall view of the specifications, typical properties and
environmental is also attached.
250
200
150
100
250
200
150
100
50
50
0
0
0 min
1 min
3 min
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imbentin -AG/124S/070
Imbentin-U/070
5 min
0 min
10 min
1min
3 min
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imbentin -AG/124S/070
Imbentin-U/070
Imbentin-UGM/070
Imbentin- AG/128S/070
5 min
10 min
Imbentin-UGM/070
Imbentin- AG/128S/070
Method: EN 12728 Perforated disc beating method
Foaming power is related to the structure and solubility (cloud
point) of the products. Iso-undecanol alcohol based surfactants,
being more soluble, generate more initial foam compared to
4) Wetting by immersion / Cotton wetting [s], 50°C
300
300
250
250
Wetting time [s]
Wetting time [s]
3) Wetting by immersion / Cotton wetting [s], 25°C
less soluble species. Alcohol ethoxylates with a higher degree
of linearity offer better foam stability over a period of time.
Increasing temperature reduces foam stability.
200
150
100
150
100
50
50
0
200
ImbentinC/135/070
0.01g/l
ImbentinUGM/070
0.1g/l
1g/l
Imbentin AG/124S/070
ImbentinAG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
10g/l
0
ImbentinC/135/070
0.01g/l
ImbentinUGM/070
0.1g/l
1g/l
Imbentin AG/124S/070
ImbentinAG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
10g/l
Method: DIN ISO 8022:1990 modified, so called Draves test
In the wetting process, the surfactant molecules dissolved in
aqueous solution adsorb onto the cotton fibre and replace
attracted air. In general, the wetting process improves with
increasing surface concentration and temperature. Branched
molecular structure of the hydrophobe intensifies wetting as
well as dynamic behavious. The effect of concentration is
illustrated by the graph, which shows short wetting times being
achieved above 1 g/l.
5) Static surface tension, 25°C, 1 g/l
80.00
70.00
s dyn. [mN/m]
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
0.10
1.00
10.00
Conc. [mg/l]
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imb-AG/124S/070
Imb-U/070
100.00
1000.00
Imb-UGM/070
Imb-AG/128S/070
5)
The surface activity (efficiency) of a non-ionic surfactant is
strongly affected by the C-chain length of the hydrophobe. The
longer the chain, the lower the critical micellar concentration.
The ability of a surfactant molecule to build up a closely
packed interfacial film reduces the surface tension of the
aqueous solution. The lower the surface tension, the more
effective the surfactant. Surface tension values below 28mN/m
are considered to be excellent.
As expected, it can be seen on the graph of static surface
tension versus concentration (the so-called cmc curves)
that Imbentin-AG/128S/070 shows the lowest cinc value
of about 5 mg/1 followed by Inbentin-C/135/070 and
Inbentin-AG/124S/070 of about 10 mg/l.
Method: Static surface and interfacial tension measurement using Wilhelmy plate method,
DIN 53914
6) Dynamic surface tension, 25°C, 1 g/l
7) Dynamic interfacial tension,25°C, 0.1 g/l, Decane
30
50
? dyn. [mN/m]
s dyn. [mN/m]
60
40
30
20
0.1
1
10
20
15
10
5
100
1
Surface age [s]
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imbentin-AG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
25
Imbentin-AG/124S/070
Imbentin-UGM/070
10
100
Surface age [s]
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imbentin-AG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
1000
10000
Imbentin-AG/124S/070
Imbentin-UGM/070
Method: Dynamic surface tension mesurement using drop volume method
Method: Dynamic interfacial tension mesurement using drop volume method
6)
The dynamic properties of surfactants in solution are often
much more important for the description of surface phenomena than the static ones. By measuring surface tension
against time (dynamic surface tension), the speed of adsorption
at the liquid/air interface for each surfactant can be defined.
Branched and small molecules offer advantages in adsorption
aided by higher diffusion rates. Imbentin-U/070 has already
reached the equilibrium state in 1 second, which is considered
to be very fast in the adsorption process.
7)
Surface activity at liquid/liquid interfaces, typically oil and
water, can be investigated by dynamic interfacial tension
measurements. The chemical composition, structure and
concentration of a surfactant determine its capability to
modify the interface. The orientation process at a liquid/liquid
interface is slower than at a gas/liquid interface, but small,
bulky molecules offer distinct dynamic behaviour advantages.
As can be seen from the graph, some of the products achieve
interfacial tension below 10 mN/m at 0.1 g/1 concentration
which is a prerequisite for good emulsifying power. Even lower
interfacial tensions can be achieved by using higher surfactant
concentrations.
8) Time dependant static contact angle,
1 g/l, 50°C, stainless steel
8)
The wetting behaviour of surfactants on solid substrates can be
observed using the sessile drop method. The drop shape, and
hence the contact angle, is measured in a time scale of
milliseconds. The lower the contact angle, the better the
spreading ability of the surfactant. Again, highly dynamic
surfactants promote the spreading or wetting process on solids.
Measurements on stainless steel demonstrate contact angle
reduction of more than 15 degrees within 10 seconds.
? stat. [°]
60
50
40
30
0.01
0.1
1
10
Surface age [s]
Imbentin-C/135/070
Imbentin-AG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
Method: Sessile drop method, automatic drop shape analysis
Imbentin-AG/124S/070
Imbentin-UGM/070
Specifications
ImbentinC/135/070
ImbentinUGM/070
ImbentinAG/124S/070
ImbentinAG/128S/070
Imbentin-U/070
Liquid
liquid (30°C)
liquid
liquid (30*C)
liquid
max. 60
max. 60
max. 50
max. 60
Spec’s
Appearance (25°C)
Colour (Hazen)
pH (10% deion. water)
5-7
5-7
5-7
6-7
5-7
Water content (%)
max. 0.3
max. 0.3
max. 0.5
max. 0.2
max. 0.5
Cloud point (°C, 1% deion. water)
45-49
45-50
52-57
(54-55)
51-56
Cloud point (°C, 5g in 25g BDG 25%)
79.5-81.5
Typical properties (approx.)
Viscosity (25°C, mPas)
55 (25°C)
25 (50°C)
25 (40°C)
65 (40°C)
25 (25°C)
Density (25°C, gcm-3)
0.98
0.95 (50°C)
0.97 (40°C)
0.97 (40°C)
0.99
Pour point (°C)
19 (EP)
22
15
18
HLB (calc.)
12
12
7
13
Environmantal aspects
CAS No.
68439-50-9
68213-23-0
127036-24-2
(generic)
EINECS No.
OECD-Polym.
OECD-Polym.
OECD-Polym.
OECD-Polym.
OECD-Polym.
Biodegradability
> 98%****
> 90%***
> 99%
> 98%***
> 90%***
LC50
< 1 mg
> 1 mg
< 1 mg
> 26 mg
> 1 mg
Classification symbol
Xn N
Xn
Xn N
Xn
Xn
harmful
harmful
harmful
(OECD 302B, 28 days)
harmful, irritant, harmful
dangerous for
dangerous for
environment
environment
*** as determined for the product range at issue
**** dt. Tensidverordnung
Kolb Distribution Ltd. - CH-8908 Hedingen - Switzerland - Phone +41 1 762 46 46 - Fax +41 1 762 46 02 - www.kolb.ch