MOA-4 (AEO-4) is a nonionic surfactant produced by the addition polymerization of ethylene oxide with C12-14 fatty alcohol as the initiator. It appears as a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid. With its excellent emulsifying ability, outstanding wetting and penetrating properties, and broad chemical compatibility, it serves as a core component in many industrial and household formulations, adaptable to complex systems such as acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments.
This product is nonionic in nature and can be compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants to produce synergistic effects. It has high active content and stable chemical properties, maintaining reliable performance under various process conditions, thus it has an extremely wide range of applications.
| Industry Field | Application Process/Scenario | Function/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Household Liquid Detergent | Formulations such as laundry liquid, dishwashing detergent | Provides low-foam degreasing performance and low-temperature washing effect |
| Industrial Cleaning Agent | Metal surface cleaning, hard surface cleaning, fabric washing | Strong penetrating power, effectively removes mineral oil, grease, and solid particles, anti-corrosion |
| Textile Printing and Dyeing Auxiliary | Pretreatment penetrant/leveling agent for fibers such as cotton and polyester | Accelerates penetration of alkali or bleach into the fiber interior; promotes uniform dye uptake and reduces color spots |
| Leather Processing | Soaking and degreasing stages | Effectively removes natural oils and dirt, keeping the leather surface clean and soft |
| Pesticide Formulations | Preparation of emulsifiable concentrate (EC), microemulsion (ME) and other formulations | Evenly disperses oil-soluble pesticides in water, enhancing the wetting and spreading ability of the liquid on plant leaves and insect bodies |
| Coatings and Inks | Waterborne coatings, printing inks | Improves pigment wetting and dispersibility, enhances system stability, and helps regulate coating film drying speed and flowability |
| Emulsion Polymerization | Emulsion polymerization of monomers such as acrylates and vinyl acetate | Acts as primary or auxiliary emulsifier, controls latex particle size, improves latex stability and solid content |
| AES Synthesis | Production intermediate of fatty alcohol ether sulfate (AES) | After sulfation/neutralization, alcohol ether sulfate salt is obtained, widely used in washing and personal care products |
As an O/W emulsifier, MOA-4 (AEO-4) performs particularly well in formulations requiring medium to low HLB values. In washing formulations, it is recommended to be used in combination with anionic surfactants (such as LAS, AES) to significantly enhance degreasing capability. In pesticide emulsifiable concentrate formulations, the typical dosage is 5% to 15%. When used as an auxiliary emulsifier in emulsion polymerization, the recommended dosage is 1% to 3% of the total monomer weight. The specific dosage should be determined through experiments based on the actual formulation system and process requirements.