OP-21 Octylphenol Polyoxyethylene Ether is a high-performance nonionic surfactant, characterized by outstanding emulsifying ability, excellent wetting and penetrating properties, efficient dispersing and detergency, and strong acid/base/hard water tolerance, widely used in textile, pesticide, coating, washing and other industrial fields.
Detailed Description
OP-21 (CAS No.: 9036-19-5) is a nonionic surfactant produced by addition polymerization of octylphenol and ethylene oxide. It appears as a white to light yellow waxy paste with a very high active content. As a nonionic surfactant, it does not ionize in solution and has excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, allowing flexible compounding.
The core performance advantages of this product are reflected in five aspects: First, it has outstanding emulsifying stability for various oil phases and organic solvents, forming fine and stable emulsion systems; second, it can significantly reduce the surface tension of liquids, achieving rapid and uniform wetting and spreading, suitable for industrial scenarios requiring deep penetration; third, it has excellent dispersing and suspending ability for solid particles, while also possessing outstanding decontamination and cleaning effects; fourth, it maintains stable surface activity in acid, alkali and hard water systems, with wide working condition adaptability; fifth, the high concentration of active ingredients reduces the amount needed in formulations, lowering overall usage costs.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Item | Specification |
|---|
| Product Name | OP-21 Octylphenol Polyoxyethylene Ether |
| Aliases | Emulsifier OP-21, Octylphenol Polyoxyethylene (21) Ether, Polyoxyethylene (21) Octylphenyl Ether |
| CAS No. | 9036-19-5 |
| Ion Type | Nonionic Surfactant |
| Appearance | White to light yellow waxy paste (consistency varies with temperature) |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution, 25℃) | 6.0–8.0 |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >150℃ |
| Oral LD50 (Rat) | >2000 mg/kg |
| Dermal LD50 (Rabbit) | >2000 mg/kg |
| Flammability | Not flammable |
| Explosion Hazard | None |
Application Recommendations
OP-21, with its versatile surface-active properties, can be widely used in the following fields:
- Textile Dyeing and Printing: As an efficient penetrant, scouring agent and leveling agent, it improves fiber treatment uniformity and dye uptake rate, suitable for cotton, synthetic fibers and their blends.
- Pesticide Formulations: As an efficient emulsifier in emulsifiable concentrates and oil-in-water emulsions, it ensures rapid dispersion of active ingredients in water and formation of stable emulsions, improving spray adhesion and utilization.
- Coatings and Inks: Used as a wetting and dispersing agent for pigments and fillers, shortening grinding time, preventing pigment particle flocculation, and improving storage stability and color development of the system.
- Detergent Industry: Formulating high-performance household and industrial cleaning products, with good removal effect on various oil stains.
- Leather Processing: Applied in degreasing and fatliquoring processes, improving leather treatment effect and finished product softness.
- Emulsion Polymerization: As an emulsifier in the polymerization process, ensuring smooth reaction and uniform latex particle size.
- Paper Industry: As a wetting and dispersing agent in pulping and deinking processes, promoting fiber separation and ink removal.
- Metalworking Fluids: Providing lubrication, cleaning and anti-rust synergistic effects, improving the comprehensive performance of the fluid.
Precautions
- Skin Irritation: May cause moderate skin irritation (Category 2). Wear protective gloves during operation, and thoroughly wash skin after handling.
- Eye Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation (Category 2A). Wear safety goggles or face shield. If in eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and continue rinsing.
- Reproductive Toxicity: Animal experiments show that long-term high-dose exposure may cause adverse effects on fertility or fetal development (Category 2, H361). Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure.
- Environmental Hazard: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H401/H411). The octylphenol moiety is persistent in the environment and has endocrine-disrupting properties. Waste must be disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with regulations and must not be discharged into water bodies.
- Storage: Store in a locked place, away from incompatible substances.
- Before use, read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) carefully and follow relevant safety operation procedures and occupational health protection requirements.
