Synthesis of branched surfactant via ethoxylation of oleic acid derivative and its surface properties

A new series of bio-based branched nonionic surfactants (ethoxylated dihydroxy stearic acid methyl ester, DMOE n ) was synthesized and characterized. DMOE n was based on a hydroxyoctadecanoic acid methyl ester, which was obtained from renewable oleic acid in waste cooking oil. These new polyoxyethylene surfactants contained double hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains, which shows the surface properties of the branched surfactant. The synthesis rules and reaction kinetics were studied in detail. The physicochemical properties and surface properties of the DMOE n with different degrees of ethoxylation at various concentrations were investigated. Furthermore, the surface tension results indicate that DMOE n reduced the surface tension reduction and increased the diffusion rate in an aqueous solution. The dynamic contact angle, wettability, foaming properties, and emulsifying capacity tests showed that DMOE n exhibited good wetting performance, low foaming, fast defoaming, and excellent emulsifying ability, which shows that the surfactant has potential application in industrial cleaning.