The role of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate in detergents is mainly as a surfactant, with foaming, emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties.
Foaming: Sodium lauryl benzene sulfonate is a surfactant with good foaming properties, which is able to produce rich and long-lasting foam. During washing, these foams are able to wrap around stains on the surface of the garment and gradually remove them as the washing process progresses.
Emulsification: Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate is a good emulsifier that disperses water-insoluble substances into water, resulting in an emulsion-like liquid. During the washing process, the emulsifier adsorbs organic substances such as grease and stains into the micelles, thus providing a decontamination effect.
Dispersion: Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate also disperses sediments and suspensions in water, preventing them from clumping together to form solid deposits. This dispersion is also very important in polymer synthesis, pigment preparation and other fields.
Wetting: Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate is a surfactant with strong wettability, which can reduce the surface tension of water and make it easier for water to infiltrate the clothing fibers. In the textile sector, this wetting effect improves the flexibility and permeability of the fibers, which improves the texture and appearance of the textile.
In summary, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate plays a variety of roles in detergents, including foaming, emulsifying, dispersing, and wetting, which together improve the detergent's efficacy and detergency.