CAS Number:
Information not specified in retrieved sources
Chemical Description:
Linear alcohol (C12-15) ethoxylate, POE-7
Primary Function:
Non-ionic surfactant, detergent, emulsifier, and wetting agent.
Uses:
This surfactant is engineered for cleaning applications, with a primary focus on laundry and hard surface cleaning.
· Laundry Care: A key ingredient in laundry detergents and fabric pre-treaters/spotters for its excellent detergency and low interfacial tension.
· Household & Industrial Cleaning: Used in all-purpose cleaners, hard surface cleaners, floor cleaners, and dishwashing detergents.
· Other Industries: Also finds application in textile processing and as an adjuvant in agricultural formulations.
Origin:
It is a semi-synthetic, non-ionic surfactant. It is produced by reacting a mixture of linear C12-15 fatty alcohols with 7 moles of ethylene oxide.
What does C12-15 ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE (7 EO) do in a formulation?
Its primary functions are:
- Detergent (primary cleaning action)
- Emulsifier (suspends oils and grease)
- Wetting Agent (allows water to spread and penetrate surfaces)
Safety Profile:
· General Assessment: This product meets the U.S. EPA Safer Choice Program's surfactant screen. Alcohol ethoxylates are generally considered safe when used correctly.
· Key Considerations: Like all ethoxylated surfactants, it is crucial to ensure the product is purified to minimize trace levels of the byproduct 1,4-dioxane. The product is listed as readily biodegradable.
· Handling: As with all concentrated chemicals, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and goggles is recommended during handling.
Technical profile:
| Property | Values |
| Appearance | Paste (at 25°C) |
| Active Matter | 100% |
| Form at 25°C | Paste |
| Cloud Point | 50°C (1% aqueous solution) |
| HLB Value | 12.2 (hydrophilic, suitable for oil-in-water systems and detergency) |
| Draves Wetting Time | 16 seconds (at 25°C, indicates fast wetting ability) |
How It Differs from Other 7-Mole Ethoxylates:
C12-15 Alcohol Ethoxylate (7 EO)
· Primary Use: Laundry & Industrial Cleaning
· Typical Form: Paste
· Key Property: High detergency, fast wetting
Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate (Laureth-7)
· Primary Use: Personal Care & Light-Duty Cleaning
· Typical Form: Liquid
· Key Property: Foaming, mildness
Ceteareth-7
· Primary Use: Cosmetic Creams & Lotions (Emulsifier)
· Typical Form: Waxy Solid
· Key Property: Stabilizing emulsions
Summary:
For laundry applications, a C12-15 Alcohol Ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO is the optimal choice. It is a high-performance, biodegradable non-ionic surfactant designed specifically for excellent detergency and wetting in laundry and hard surface cleaners. Its formulation is recognized for a safer environmental profile.