ABSTRACT
All commercially available cationic surfactants are nitrogen derivatives, and in most cases the alkyl portion of the surfactant is derived from natural fats and oils such as tallow or rapeseed, palm, fish, tall, or coconut oils. Fabric conditioners account for ~ 40% of cationic surfactant use. Adsorption of a cationic surfactant onto the surface of fabric improves handle, eases ironing, imparts antistatic properties, and helps perfume retention. Cationic surfactants are used as collectors in the separation of minerals by froth flotation, and mineral flotation accounts for perhaps 5–15% of total cationic surfactant usage. Some cationic surfactants are toxic to microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae and as a result find use in disinfectants and preservatives. The multifunctionality of cationic surfactants allows biocidal properties to be combined with wetting and detergency or with corrosion inhibition and substantivity. Aqueous solutions of unquatemized cationic surfactants contain both the neutral amine form and the protonated acid form, their ratio depending on pH.
