Influence of unsulfonated material and its sulfone content on the physical properties of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates

Abstract

Abstract Free oil content (unsulfonated matter) in linear alkylbenzene sulfonates has a considerable influence on the physical properties (viscosity and cloud point) of sulfonate slurries. It has been found that a determining factor in this influence is the sulfone content in free oil. This has been observed in several commercial sulfonic acids and confirmed through laboratory sulfonation tests. In order to better understand the effect of the sulfone content, a high performance liquid chromatography method for its determination was developed.