ABSTRACT
Alcohol ethoxylates (AE) are nonionic surfactants that have been used in significant amounts in industrial products since the 1930’s. Usage grew after World War II in household and institutional cleaners, and from the mid-1960’s in laundry products. Growth through the 1970’s and 1980’s has been rapid, especially in consumer products. Alcohol ethoxylates are the largest volume nonionic surfactants produced, with ethoxylates based on high linearity primary alcohols the predominant type. Household laundry detergents are the largest single end-use for AE. Linear primary AE are the preferred nonionic surfactants for this use due to their rapid biodegradability. Alcohol ethoxylates are less sensitive to water hardness than competing materials. They are also particularly effective at removing oily soils and are relatively low foamers. Alcohol ethoxylates range in physical form from clear liquids to pastes to solids depending on the molecular weight of the starting alcohol and degree of ethoxylation.
