ABSTRACT
The term ‘‘surfactant’’ applies to a group of molecules having both a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic (or lipophilic) part. Surfactants modify the interfacial properties of the liquids in which they are incorporated; this property stems from their tendency to concentrate at the interfaces separating immiscible phases. Depending on the nature of the hydrophilic moiety ensuring the water-affinity of the molecule, major surfactants can be divided into anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic classes.
