OP-10 octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (CAS: 9036-19-5), as the core nonionic surfactant product of Guoli Chemical, its core competitiveness lies in the balanced comprehensive performance of one agent with multiple functions. Compared with the AEO series (fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether), the molecular structure of OP-10 contains a benzene ring rigid group, giving it stronger affinity and emulsifying ability for aromatic oil phases and polar oils, especially suitable for heavy-duty scenarios such as metal degreasing and crude oil demulsification. Compared with the NP series (nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether), OP-10 has a shorter carbon chain and more concentrated molecular weight, resulting in faster wetting and penetration speed - according to the measured data of this product, the penetration time of a 0.1% aqueous solution at 25°C is only about 120 seconds, which is at a leading level among similar products.
From the perspective of process adaptability, OP-10 has three obvious advantages: First, broad chemical tolerance - it maintains stable performance under dilute acid, dilute alkali, and hard water conditions, far superior to the performance of anionic surfactants in acidic or hard water environments, and is more hydrolysis-resistant than some ester-type nonionic surfactants; Second, precise HLB value (13.5) - it is exactly in the optimal range of O/W emulsifiers. Combined with a cloud point of 65~70°C, it can meet both room temperature formulations and be applied in industrial cleaning and printing/dyeing processes that require heating; Third, extremely high active content (≥99%) - free alcohol content is controlled below 0.5%, high formulation efficiency, few side reactions, helping downstream users reduce overall usage costs.
Compared with currently market-promoted "green surfactants" (such as APG alkyl glycosides, modified oil ethoxylates, etc.), OP-10 does have a gap in ecotoxicity (GHS aquatic chronic toxicity category 3), but its mature supply chain system, process reliability verified by decades of use, and significantly lower unit performance cost make it still have an irreplaceable competitive advantage in cost-sensitive fields such as industrial cleaning, textile printing and dyeing, and pesticide formulations. Especially in scenarios requiring the triple functions of emulsification, penetration, and dispersion, the formula simplification ability of OP-10 "one agent replacing three" is difficult for many new surfactants to match.
| Performance Indicator | OP-10 (Guoli Chemical) | Typical Comparison with Similar Products |
|---|---|---|
| HLB Value | 13.5 | AEO-9 approximately 13~14; NP-10 approximately 13.3; TX-100 approximately 13.5 — OP-10 is in the optimal range for O/W emulsification |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | 65~70°C | AEO-9 approximately 60~65°C; NP-10 approximately 60~67°C — OP-10 has slightly better thermal stability |
| Surface Tension (1%, 25°C) | 30 mN/m | Basically the same as similar nonionic products, at an excellent level |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) | 0.24 mmol/L | Lower than most AEO series (0.3~0.8 mmol/L), effective at low concentrations |
| Penetration Power (0.1%, 25°C) | About 120 seconds | Significantly better than AEO-7/9 test values at the same concentration |
| Active Content | ≥99% | Higher than market conventional products (usually 96~99%) |
| Free Alcohol | ≤0.5% | Commonly 1~3% in similar products on the market — low free alcohol leads to fewer side reactions and lighter odor |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 | Nearly neutral, wide compatibility range, low corrosiveness to substrates |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >230°C | Much higher than most solvent-based additives, good operational safety |
| Acid/Alkali Stability | Stable in dilute acid/dilute alkali | Better than anionic surfactants and ester-type nonionics (the latter are prone to hydrolysis) |
| Hard Water Resistance | Excellent | Far superior to anionic series (such as LAS, AES which easily deactivate in hard water) |
Industrial Cleaning Formulations: Recommended dosage 3~8%, compounding with anionic surfactants (such as AES, sulfonic acid) can produce synergistic effects and improve oil removal rate. In metal degreasers, OP-10 works better when used with builders (sodium metasilicate, sodium tripolyphosphate).
Textile Printing and Dyeing: As a penetrant, recommended dosage 0.5~2 g/L, working temperature should not exceed the cloud point (65~70°C) to avoid reduced surface activity due to the "cloud point effect." If high-temperature operation is required, it can be compounded with a small amount of anionic penetrant to raise the cloud point.
Pesticide Emulsifier: Recommended dosage 5~15% of the oil phase, often compounded with anionic emulsifiers (such as calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) in a ratio of 3:1 to 5:1 to enhance emulsion stability.
Formulation Optimization Tips: OP-10 used alone can provide excellent penetration and emulsification effects, but when compounded with a small amount of anionic surfactant, the surface tension can be further reduced by 2~5 mN/m, and the wetting speed can be increased by 20~30%. It is recommended that formulation engineers perform gradient compounding experiments based on target performance.