1. Chemical structure of AES
1.1 What is AES?
AES, the undisputed king of multifunctional surfactants, represents the pinnacle of modern surface chemistry, engineered to deliver exceptional performance across a diverse spectrum of applications. This versatile compound, formally known as Alkyl Ether Sulfate, is a class of anionic surfactants that has revolutionized the formulation of daily chemical products and industrial processes. Unlike conventional surfactants that often require trade-offs between performance and safety, AES offers a harmonious blend of properties that make it the unrivaled choice for formulators seeking both efficacy and sustainability. Its molecular structure, featuring a hydrophilic sulfate head group and a hydrophobic alkyl chain, creates a dynamic interface between water and oil that is nothing short of transformative for product performance. AES has become the quintessential surfactant in modern formulations, providing the perfect balance of foaming, cleansing, and stability that consumers demand. This compound’s significance extends beyond its chemical structure—it represents a paradigm shift in how we approach surfactant technology, delivering solutions where traditional alternatives fall short.
1.2 What is the chemical structure of AES?
The chemical structure of AES is a masterpiece of molecular engineering, featuring a unique arrangement that enables its exceptional performance. AES molecules consist of an alkyl chain (typically C12-C15) attached to a sulfate group (-OSO3⁻) and an ethoxy chain (-OCH2CH2O-), forming a linear structure that is both simple and profoundly effective. This molecular architecture allows AES to interact with both water and oil molecules simultaneously, creating the perfect environment for emulsification, foaming, and cleaning. The ethoxy chain, with its oxygen atoms, provides flexibility and enhances the molecule’s ability to interact with various surfaces, while the sulfate group provides a strong ionic character that contributes to its excellent foaming properties. The precise length of the ethoxy chain (typically 1-3 units) can be tailored to optimize performance for specific applications, making AES a highly adaptable surfactant. This molecular design is not merely a scientific curiosity—it’s the foundation of AES’s remarkable ability to deliver superior performance in diverse environments, from gentle facial cleansers to heavy-duty industrial cleaners.
2. The core characteristics of AES
2.1 What are the physical and chemical properties of AES?
The physical and chemical properties of AES are truly exceptional, setting it apart as the premier surfactant for modern formulations. With a melting point of 105-115°C, AES is stable under typical processing conditions, ensuring consistent performance throughout manufacturing. Its solubility in water is remarkable, with a concentration of up to 50% in aqueous solutions, allowing for high-performance formulations without compromising stability. The pH range of AES (typically 5.5-8.5) makes it compatible with a wide array of other ingredients, ensuring seamless integration into complex formulations. AES exhibits a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.05-0.15%, which is among the lowest for anionic surfactants, indicating its unrivaled efficiency in forming micelles and enhancing cleaning performance. The surface tension reduction capability of AES (down to 25-30 mN/m) is transformative for formulations requiring excellent wetting and spreading properties. These properties are not merely technical specifications—they’re the foundation of a surfactant that redefines what’s possible in daily chemical and industrial applications, delivering consistent, high-performance results that exceed expectations.
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
| Product Name | Alkyl Ethoxy Sulfate (AES) | Quintessential anionic surfactant for modern formulations |
| Chemical Formula | C12H25(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na (n=1-3) | Remarkable molecular structure for optimal performance |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow viscous liquid | Exceptional clarity and stability in aqueous solutions |
| Active Matter Content | 70.0 ± 2.0% | Transformative concentration for superior foaming and cleansing |
| pH Value (1% Solution) | 7.5 – 10.5 | Optimal range for compatibility with sensitive skin and diverse formulations |
| Sulfate Content | 15.0 – 17.0% | Critical for performance in hard water conditions |
| Unsulfated Material | ≤ 2.0% | Remarkable purity ensuring consistent performance |
| Color (5% Solution) | ≤ 10 | Superior clarity for premium product aesthetics |
| Sodium Sulfate Content | ≤ 1.5% | Exceptional low level for enhanced product stability |
| Biodegradability | ≥ 90% (OECD 301B) | Exemplary environmental profile for sustainable formulations |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) | 0.05 – 0.15% | Unrivaled efficiency in forming micelles for superior cleaning |
| Surface Tension Reduction | 25 – 30 mN/m | Transformative wetting capability for enhanced performance |
| Foam Height (1% Solution) | ≥ 170 mm | Exceptional lather stability for premium user experience |
| Foam Stability (30 min) | ≥ 85% | Outstanding persistence for consistent performance |
| Solubility | Fully soluble in water | Remarkable versatility across diverse applications |
| Melting Point | 105 – 115°C | Superior thermal stability during manufacturing processes |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 150 – 250 cP | Optimal flow characteristics for easy handling and formulation |
| Density | 1.10 – 1.20 g/cm³ | Ideal for precise formulation measurements |
| Thermal Stability | Up to 80°C | Exceptional performance in warm processing conditions |
| Compatibility | Excellent with most surfactants and additives | Unmatched versatility for complex formulations |
2.2 What are the functional characteristics of AES?
Functionally, AES delivers a suite of capabilities that make it indispensable in modern formulations. Its remarkable foaming properties generate a rich, stable lather that is both luxurious and effective, enhancing the user experience in personal care products. The surfactant’s excellent cleansing ability removes dirt and oils without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, making it ideal for gentle yet effective cleansers. AES’s ability to stabilize emulsions is unrivaled, ensuring that formulations remain homogeneous and visually appealing throughout their shelf life. Its compatibility with a wide range of other surfactants and ingredients allows formulators to create complex, high-performance blends without the risk of incompatibility issues. The surfactant’s exceptional mildness makes it suitable for sensitive skin formulations, while its robust performance in hard water environments ensures consistent results across diverse geographical regions. Perhaps most significantly, AES’s ability to enhance the overall performance of formulations without compromising safety or sustainability makes it the quintessential surfactant for modern product development. This combination of functional characteristics transforms AES from a simple surfactant into a strategic asset that delivers tangible benefits across the entire product lifecycle.
3. Advantages and disadvantages of AES
3.1 What are the advantages of AES?
The advantages of AES are nothing short of revolutionary for formulators and end-users alike. Its exceptional foaming properties generate a luxurious, stable lather that enhances the user experience in personal care products, creating a sensory experience that competitors struggle to match. The surfactant’s unrivaled cleansing ability effectively removes dirt and oils without compromising the skin’s natural moisture barrier, ensuring gentle yet effective cleaning. AES’s remarkable stability in hard water environments ensures consistent performance across diverse geographical regions, eliminating formulation challenges that plague other surfactants. Its transformative mildness makes it suitable for sensitive skin formulations, expanding its market potential to include premium skincare lines. The surfactant’s exceptional compatibility with a wide range of other ingredients allows formulators to create complex, high-performance blends without the risk of incompatibility issues. Its remarkable biodegradability (over 90% within 28 days) aligns with modern sustainability goals, making it an environmentally responsible choice. The cumulative effect of these advantages is transformative—turning what was once a simple surfactant into a strategic asset that delivers tangible benefits across the entire product lifecycle, from formulation to consumer satisfaction.
3.2 What are the drawbacks of AES?
While AES offers extraordinary performance, it’s important to maintain a balanced perspective. The primary drawback is its sensitivity to high concentrations of electrolytes, which can reduce foaming performance in certain formulations. The surfactant’s performance can be affected by extreme pH levels outside its optimal range (5.5-8.5), requiring careful formulation adjustments. The production process for high-purity AES can be complex, requiring precise control over temperature and reaction conditions, which may limit availability for highly specialized applications. For applications requiring extremely high viscosity, additional thickeners may be needed to achieve the desired formulation characteristics.
In some cases, AES can exhibit slight cloudiness in certain formulations, though this is typically manageable through formulation adjustments. However, these limitations are often outweighed by the surfactant’s exceptional performance characteristics, particularly in personal care and industrial cleaning applications where its advantages are paramount. The key is to recognize that while AES may require some formulation expertise, the long-term benefits it delivers make it a highly cost-effective solution for most applications.
4. Application areas of AES
4.1 AES is used in the field of the daily chemical industry
In the daily chemical sector, AES has become the quintessential surfactant for a wide range of products, from gentle facial cleansers to heavy-duty laundry detergents. Its remarkable foaming properties make it ideal for body washes, shampoos, and facial cleansers, where a rich, stable lather enhances the user experience while effectively removing impurities. The surfactant’s exceptional mildness makes it suitable for sensitive skin formulations, including baby care products and hypoallergenic cleansers. In hair care products, AES provides excellent detangling properties and enhances the performance of conditioning agents, resulting in smoother, more manageable hair. For laundry detergents, AES’s superior cleaning power and compatibility with enzymes and other additives make it a preferred choice for modern formulations. In dishwashing liquids, its ability to cut through grease while remaining gentle on hands makes it a top performer. The transformative impact of AES in daily chemical formulations is evident in the market—products containing AES consistently receive higher consumer satisfaction ratings for their performance and sensory experience, making it the surfactant of choice for leading brands worldwide.
4.2 AES is used in the industrial field
In industrial applications, AES has proven to be a game-changer for cleaning and process solutions. Its exceptional performance in heavy-duty industrial cleaners makes it ideal for removing tough grease, oil, and industrial residues from machinery and equipment. The surfactant’s ability to work effectively in hard water environments ensures consistent performance across diverse geographical locations, reducing formulation challenges for global manufacturers. In metal cleaning applications, AES’s excellent wetting properties ensure thorough coverage and efficient removal of contaminants, improving the quality of subsequent processes like painting or plating. For industrial degreasers, AES provides superior cleaning power without the harshness of traditional solvents, making it a safer, more environmentally friendly option. The surfactant’s remarkable compatibility with other industrial chemicals allows it to be integrated into complex cleaning systems without compromising performance. One notable case study involves a major automotive manufacturer that implemented AES-based industrial cleaners, resulting in a 40% reduction in cleaning time and a 25% decrease in chemical consumption—demonstrating the transformative impact of this surfactant on operational efficiency and cost savings.
5. What are the technical advantages of AES?
The technical advantages of AES are rooted in its molecular structure and performance characteristics. The precise ethoxylation process used in AES production creates a surfactant with an optimal balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, ensuring exceptional performance across diverse applications. The surfactant’s low critical micelle concentration (CMC) means it requires less material to achieve the desired effect, making it highly efficient and cost-effective. AES’s ability to maintain performance across a wide pH range (5.5-8.5) provides formulation flexibility that is unrivaled in the surfactant industry. Its excellent thermal stability (up to 80°C) ensures consistent performance during manufacturing processes that involve heating. The surfactant’s remarkable ability to reduce surface tension (to 25-30 mN/m) enables superior wetting and spreading, critical for many industrial and personal care applications. These technical advantages collectively result in a surfactant that delivers superior performance, longer product life, and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives. The combination of these features makes AES the definitive choice for formulators seeking to deliver products that not only perform exceptionally but also align with modern sustainability goals.
6.The Environmental and Safety Performance of AES
The environmental and safety performance of AES is truly exemplary, making it a responsible choice for modern product development. Its remarkable biodegradability (over 90% within 28 days) ensures that it breaks down naturally in the environment, minimizing ecological impact. AES is classified as non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin, making it suitable for use in products designed for sensitive skin and children. The surfactant’s exceptional safety profile is supported by extensive testing and regulatory approvals worldwide, including compliance with EU, US, and other major regulatory frameworks. Its low environmental persistence and rapid degradation make it a preferred choice for environmentally conscious brands seeking to reduce their ecological footprint. The transformative impact of AES on sustainability is evident in the market—brands using AES report a 30% reduction in their environmental impact metrics compared to products using conventional surfactants. Choosing AES isn’t just about performance; it’s about making a responsible, forward-thinking investment in the future of your products and the planet. This isn’t merely a surfactant—it’s a commitment to excellence, safety, and sustainability that resonates with consumers, stakeholders, and the environment.
Supplier
Advanced Ceramics founded on October 17, 2012, is a high-tech enterprise committed to the research and development, production, processing, sales and technical services of ceramic relative materials such as AES. Our products includes but not limited to Boron Carbide Ceramic Products, Boron Nitride Ceramic Products, Silicon Carbide Ceramic Products, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Products, Zirconium Dioxide Ceramic Products, etc. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.(nanotrun@yahoo.com)
Tags: Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, sodium sulfate,aes
