TRENDS IN SURFACTANT SCIENCE : OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES

SHRIRAM INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH,

19 UNIVERSITY ROAD,NEW DELHI-110007

PRESENTED BY :

DR. R. K. KHANDAL

Systems

Surfactant Science : Challenges & OpportunitiesDescription Remarks

Phases Gas / Liquid/Solid Resist any changes

Surfaces

Liquid Liquid : EmulsionSolid Liquid : DispersionLiquid Gas : FogGas Liquid : FoamSolid Gas : DustLiquid Solid Gas : Complex

Surfaces in equilibrium with Gas phase (Air)

Interfaces

Stabilisation/ Destabilisation

Surfactants play a key role by modifying the surfaces (interfaces)

Tension

Homogenity/ Micronisation

Surfactant can separate or mix different surfaces

Affinity Surfactants help solublize substrates into

matrices

Gas/Liquid; Gas Solid

Multi phase and Multi facial

Product Surfactants are enablers as well as stabilizers

Surfactant science deals with surfaces rather than with the bulk and that is the challenge !

Surfactant Science : Challenges & Opportunities

Kinetically stable Thermodynamically unstable

Surfactants can only create barriers which prevent destabilization for a fixed time

Multi phase,

Multi - face product

Challenge Opportunity

Thermodynamic Stability Surfactants bringing in ultra low interfacial tension effect

The aim to have thermodynamic stability is so challenging that opportunities are enormous

Natural multiphase multi-facial systems

Artificial multiphase multi-facial systems

Crude Oil Dust Fog Foam

Challenge : A simple surfactant to deal with complex and diverse systems

Opportunity : Enormous for the life support systems

Emulsion Cream Dispersion Foam

Role of Surfactant

s

Dehomogenise Destabilise Separate the

discontinuous phase from the continuous phase

Homogenise Stabilise Convert discontinuous

phase into the continuous one by merging it into the continuous matrix

Surfactant Science : Complex Systems

Support Systems

Surfactant Science: Life Support SystemsRequirements Challenges Opportunities

Agriculture Soil Agrochemicals

More from less

More effect less residues

Modify soil surfaces

Maximum agrochemicals in small volume

Homogenise non-polar chemicals with water

Non-arable to arable

Safe crops

More yield

Health Target drug delivery

Penetration into the body systems

Compatibili-sation of drug formulations to body systems

Reduction of interfacial tension

Solubilisation of nonpolar drugs in water

Efficacy of drug formulations

Safe health care products

Benefits to common people

Transport High speed transport

Aerodynamics Fuel efficient Non - Toxic

emissions

Lubricating systems

Brake fluids Self cleaning

engines Efficient

injection systems

Energy saving

Improved life style

Support Systems

Surfactant Science: Life Support Systems

Requirements Challenges Opportunities

Shelter Weather-proof housing

Light weight construction

Improved mix designs

Weather proof coatings

Modified concrete surfaces

Self curing with little water

Societal growth

Economic growth

Materials Bio-compatible

Biodegradable Long life

Recyclable

Modify surfaces Improved

processibility Enhanced

weather-proofness

Enormous textiles, Fibers, polymers, metals alloy, composites

Surfactants play a pivotal role in meeting the requirements while converting challenges into opportunities

New Materials

Modifications

Improved Designs

Product

Device

Surfactants drive the cycle forward always providing modifications of

surfaces

Each time a new device results in a product, the need for modifications leading to the requirement of new materials arises.

Surfactants provide the modifications necessary for improving performance of materials

Surfactant Science : Development Cycle

Surfactants market: Region-wise split

Challenge: Affordable surfactants

Opportunity: A huge market potential

35%

29%

23%

13%

Rest

US

Europe

Asia Pacific

70% of surfactants consumed by

30% of population

Most of is going in to cleaning

Challenge lies in exploiting it for industrial problems which present as opportunity for market growth

Global surfactant market by end-user application

Household Detergents

40%

Textile Auxiliaries10%

Personal Care9%

Industrial and Institutional

Cleaning6%

Oilfield5%

Others30%

GLOBAL SURFACTANTS MARKET: END-USER-WISE

Surfactant million tons %age

Soap 9.0 49.5Anionics 4.5 24.7 Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) 2.9 64.4 Branched alkylbenzene sulfonate 0.2 04.4 Fatty alkyl ether sulfate (FAES) 0.8 17.8 Fatty alkyl sulfate (FAS) 0.6 13.3 Nonionics 1.7 09.3 Alcohol ethoxylates (AE) 1.1 64.7 Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) 0.6 35.3 Quats 0.5 02.7 Amphoterics 0.1 00.6 Others 2.4 13.2

Total 18.2 100

World surfactants consumption 2003: Category-wise

Challenge: Alternate raw materials

Opportunity: Renewable resouces

Surfactant Market: Consumption and Potential

Country Per Capita Consumption

US 4.0

Europe 3.5

Japan 3.8

China 0.7

Others < 0.3.5

Challenge: Convert potential into actual

Opportunity: Huge Potential

Surfactant Science: Challenges and Opportunities

New material

Raw Material Alternate to New Surface Renewable

Petro Hydrophobes Resources

Process Green New Scales Bio-RouteTechnology Cost -Effective

Environment Biodegradability Stringent Surfactants Concerns Toxicity norms derived from

renewable resources

Applications Micro-scale Enormous to sub-micro scale

Potential is high but remains hidden !

A relook in the approach is necessary !

Surfactant Science: Path Forward Develop

Raw materials from renewable resources

Process using enzymatic and other bio-routes

Specialty Synergistic products to produce nano materials

Surfactants have always been a preferred subject of research and it will continue to remain so in future with perhaps complete shift in approach and emphasis

THANK YOU