THE IMPORTANCE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFACTANTS IN OUR LIFE

Abstract

        Surfactants, or surface-active compounds, are organic molecules that contain both hydrophobic groups (their tails) and hydrophilic groups (their heads), making them widely used in various industries. They can be produced from either synthetic or natural raw materials and their versatility makes them key to both the quality of modern life and many different industries. “What makes surfactants special is their ability to mobilise and combine materials - typically water, oils, fats, and solvents – that otherwise would not mix due to their incompatible molecular properties,” says the European Committee of Organic Surfactants and their Intermediates (CESIO). Surfactants cause changes in the ecosystem. They are harmful to human-beings, fish and vegetation, and they are also responsible for the foams in rivers and other water sources [1].

Corrosion of materials remains a significant concern in the technological world, prompting ongoing research in corrosion inhibition methods. Scientists are actively seeking more effective ways to combat metal corrosion, with the addition of corrosion inhibitors being a widely employed method (23). Over the centuries, corrosion inhibition has been extensively studied and understood. In acidic environments, the use of inhibitors is particularly practical for corrosion protection(2-4).

Corrosion of materials usually takes place in the presence of oxygen and moisture and involves two electrochemical reactions, oxidation occurs at anodic site and reduction occurs at cathodic site [5]. Various scientific studies deal with the subject of corrosion inhibitors. Inhibitors are normally used to protect materials against deterioration from corrosion. The inhibitors, which reduce corrosion on metallic materials, are inorganic inhibitors, organic inhibitors, surfactant inhibitors, and mixed material inhibitors. Organic compounds are well know acid inhibitors used in industry. These organic compounds have multiple bonds in their molecules that mainly contain nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen atoms through which they get adsorbed on the metal surface [6-13]. The use of ethoxylated fatty acid [14], ethoxylated fatty amines, [15] and propenethoxylated diol [16] had been used as corrosion inhibitors for steel and aluminum in acidic solutions. Effect of temperature on the inhibiting process is of enormous significance in industry [17]. Effective inhibitors are expected to perform under a wide range of conditions. The inhibition efficiency depends on the parameters of the system (temperature, pH, duration, and metal composition) and on the structure of the inhibitor molecule.