Impact of composition on the performance of sodium linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (NaLAS)

Abstract

Abstract Like other commercial surfactants, commercial linear alkylbenzenesulfonate is not a single compound but a mixture of components. This mixture comprises different carbonchain homologs, different phenyl isomers, and, in addition, the manufacturing co‐product, dialkyltetralin sulfonate. Current manufacturing technology makes it possible to easily vary the average carbon chainlength. On the other hand, the phenyl isomer distribution and dialkyltetralin sulfonate content can be changed only within a certain range. Each of these variations in composition affects performance. This study reports on the effect of commercial alkylbenzenesulfonate composition on surface tension, solubility, viscosity, foam stability, and detergency. The study shows that average carbon chainlength affects all performance properties. Phenyl isomer distribution and dialkyltetralin sulfonate content affect only solubility and viscosity.