Determination of anionic and cationic surfactants

Traditionally surfactant titrations have been performed using theclassic Epton titration method.

This method, although universallyaccepted, has several restrictions associated with it.

Chloroformis used in this titration which is now deemed hazardous, and dueto the nature of the titration it could not be automated.

Manyelectrodes have been designed to be used for this titration; somehave been successful (and some not so successful!) Severalelectrodes appear to work very well in standard solutions butwhen cationic or anionic surfactants levels need to be determinedin a complete formulation (eg washing powders, shampoo,conditioners) then this has proven extremely difficult.

TheSurfactrode refill electrode has revolutionised surfactantanalysis by being able to titrate in these difficult matriceseven at high betain levels.

The chloroform has disappeared andhas been replaced with a few millilitres of MIBK or heptane andwater.

More importantly the results obtained correspond exactlyto that of the Epton titration, and because of this the electrodehas been accepted by the European and American test panels (ISOand ASTM) as the industry norm.