MOA-12 (AEO-12) is a nonionic surfactant polymerized from natural C12-14 fatty alcohols with 12 ethylene oxide units, possessing excellent emulsifying, wetting, and cleaning properties, and is widely used in textile, daily chemical, pesticide and many other industrial fields.
Detailed Description
MOA-12, also known as AEO-12, with CAS number 68439-50-9, chemical name Lauryl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether-12, belongs to high polymerization degree fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether nonionic surfactants. Its molecular structure consists of a hydrophobic C12-14 long-chain alkyl group and a hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chain (containing about 12 EO groups). This structure endows it with the ability to significantly reduce surface tension, which is the basis of its versatility.
At room temperature, the product appears as a white to slightly yellow paste or waxy solid with slight hygroscopicity. It has excellent solubility in water and remains stable in acid, alkali, and hard water environments, without reacting with calcium and magnesium ions to form precipitates. This allows it to function reliably under complex water quality and process conditions. Additionally, it is non-irritating to human skin, non-sensitizing, and easily biodegradable, making it a surfactant that balances high efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Name | Typical Value \/ Range |
|---|
| Ionic Type | Nonionic |
| Appearance (25°C) | White to slightly yellow paste\/waxy solid |
| HLB Value | 14.5 |
| Active Matter Content (%) | ≥99 |
| pH Value of 1% Aqueous Solution (25°C) | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution, °C) | 90 - 95 |
| Melting Point (°C) | 15 - 20 |
| Hydroxyl Value (mgKOH\/g) | 70 - 85 |
| Surface Tension (0.1% Aqueous Solution, 25°C, mN\/m) | 28 - 32 |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC, mmol\/L, 25°C) | 0.09 |
| Penetration Power (0.1% Aqueous Solution, 25°C, s) | >300 |
| Moisture Content (%) | ≤1.0 |
Application Recommendations
The high HLB value (14.5) and excellent emulsifying and wetting capabilities of MOA-12 make it a key auxiliary agent in various industrial fields:
- Textile and Printing & Dyeing: Used as a scouring agent and detergent, it effectively removes natural oils, waxes, and impurities from fabrics, improving whiteness and capillary effect. It can also be used for soaping after dyeing to remove floating colors and prevent re-deposition.
- Daily Chemical Cleaning: In formulations of laundry liquid, dishwashing detergents, and hard surface cleaners, it acts as the main nonionic active ingredient, providing strong emulsification and removal of various oils such as sebum and mineral oil, with moderate foam and easy rinsing.
- Pesticide Formulations: As an efficient emulsifier for water-based pesticide formulations (e.g., emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsions), it promotes stable dispersion of oil-soluble active ingredients in water, improving the wetting and spreading of the spray liquid on plant leaves and insect bodies, thereby enhancing efficacy.
- Metal and Industrial Cleaning: Used to formulate high-efficiency cleaning agents for metal parts, quickly removing stubborn oil stains such as mineral oil and cutting fluids. Its nonionic nature ensures low corrosivity to various metal substrates.
Precautions
- Operation Protection: Although non-irritating to the skin, prolonged contact may cause dryness, so wearing protective gloves is recommended. Care should be taken to avoid splashing into eyes; wear goggles if necessary.
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place at 5–40°C, away from strong oxidizing agents. If frozen at low temperatures, it can still be used after slowly thawing and stirring evenly, without affecting performance.
- Environmental Discharge: Although the product is readily biodegradable, it is toxic to aquatic organisms (fish 96h LC50: 1–10 mg\/L). Therefore, wastewater containing this product must be treated and must not be directly discharged into water bodies.
