SURFACTANTS - Surfactant molecules are usually organic compounds that contain hydrophobic groups or "tails" and hydrophilic groups or "heads." This allows the molecule to interact with both water (a polar molecule) and oils (which are nonpolar). A group of surfactant molecules forms a micelle. A micelle is a spherical structure.

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Surfactants

Surfactant Definition and Examples

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Surfactant is the word that combines the terms "surface active agent".

Surfactants or tensides are chemical species that act as wetting agents to lower the surface tension of a liquid and allow for increased spreadability.

This can be at a liquid-liquid interface or a liquid-gas interface.

Surfactant Structure

Surfactant molecules are usually organic compounds that contain hydrophobic groups or "tails" and hydrophilic groups or "heads."

This allows the molecule to interact with both water (a polar molecule) and oils (which are nonpolar).

A group of surfactant molecules forms a micelle. A micelle is a spherical structure.

In a micelle, the hydrophobic or lipophilic tails face inward, while the hydrophilic heads face outward.

Oils and fats can be contained within the micelle sphere.

Surfactant Examples

Sodium stearate is a good example of a surfactant. It is the most common surfactant in soap.

Another common surfactant is 4-(5-dodecyl)benzenesulfonate.

Other examples include docusate (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate), alkyl ether phosphates, benzalkaonium chloride (BAC), and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS).

Pulmonary surfactant provides a coating on the surface of the alveoli in the lungs.

It acts to prevent fluid accumulation, keep airways dry, and maintain surface tension within the lungs to prevent collapse.

Soap Micelles Formation - Science

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjZDTiV2s_w

 

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D., is an author and consultant with a broad scientific and medical background.

Experience

Anne has taught chemistry, biology, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate level. In her doctoral work, Anne developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests. She has worked abstracting/indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy. She presently works as a freelance writer and scientific consultant. She enjoys adapting lab-based science projects so that they can be performed safely at home.

Education

Dr. Helmenstine has bachelor of arts degrees in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College in Nebraska and a doctorate of philosophy in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry is part of everyone's life, from cooking and cleaning to the latest computer chip technology and vaccine development. It doesn't have to be intimidating and it doesn't have to be hard to understand.

You can read more about Anne's current and past work on her Google Profile: Anne Helmenstine. Find Anne's printable periodic tables and science projects at Science Notes.

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-surfactant-605928

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