The main component of OP-21 octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether is the addition polymer of octylphenol and ethylene oxide (21 EO units), with the chemical name polyoxyethylene (21) octylphenyl ether.
Detailed Description
OP-21 octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether is a nonionic surfactant prepared by the addition polymerization of octylphenol (as the hydrophobic group) with ethylene oxide (EO). In its molecular structure, the hydrophobic end is an octyl-substituted phenol structure (i.e., octylphenyl), and the hydrophilic end is a polyoxyethylene chain composed of 21 oxyethylene units (—CH₂CH₂O—). Therefore, it is precisely named octylphenol polyoxyethylene (21) ether, with CAS number 9036-19-5.
This product appears as a white to light yellow waxy paste with a very high active content. Due to the long polyoxyethylene chain (21 EO) in the molecule, it exhibits high hydrophilicity and good water solubility. Moreover, it does not ionize in solution, providing excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants.
Its core surfactant functions—including outstanding emulsifying ability, excellent wetting and penetrating properties, and efficient dispersing and detergency—all originate from this amphiphilic molecular design of an "octylphenol hydrophobic group + polyoxyethylene hydrophilic chain."
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Chemical Name | Polyoxyethylene (21) octylphenyl ether \/ Octylphenol polyoxyethylene (21) ether |
| CAS Number | 9036-19-5 |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic surfactant |
| EO Number (Ethylene Oxide Adduct) | 21 |
| Appearance | White to light yellow waxy paste |
| pH (1% aqueous solution, 25°C) | 6.0–8.0 |
| Active Content | High active content (concentrated form) |
| HLB Value | Not specified (based on 21 EO chain length, theoretical HLB ~16–17, hydrophilic) |
Application Suggestions
With its long polyoxyethylene chain structure, OP-21 is particularly suitable for industrial scenarios requiring high emulsification stability and excellent dispersion performance:
- Textile Dyeing & Finishing: Used as an efficient penetrant, scouring agent, and leveling agent to improve fiber handling uniformity and dye uptake.
- Agrochemical Formulations: Acts as an emulsifier in emulsifiable concentrates and aqueous emulsion formulations, ensuring rapid dispersion of active ingredients in water and formation of stable emulsions.
- Emulsion Polymerization: Serves as an emulsifier stabilizer during polymerization, ensuring uniform latex particle size and smooth polymerization.
- Coatings & Inks: Used as a pigment wetting and dispersing agent to shorten grinding time, improve paste flowability, and storage stability.
- Cleaning & Metalworking: Provides excellent detergency, emulsification, and wetting properties, suitable for industrial cleaning and metal degreasing formulations.
Precautions
- This product is irritating to skin and eyes (Skin Irritation Category 2, Eye Irritation Category 2A). Protective gloves and goggles must be worn during handling.
- Contains octylphenol group, which has endocrine-disrupting properties and may cause potential harm to the reproductive system (Reproductive Toxicity Category 2). Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure.
- Toxic to aquatic organisms with long-lasting effects (Aquatic Hazard Category 2). Waste must be disposed of properly according to regulations and not discharged into water bodies.
- The octylphenol group is difficult to degrade in the environment and can gradually degrade into octylphenol with stronger endocrine-disrupting activity. Strict control of environmental emissions is required.
- Before use, carefully read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow relevant safety operating procedures and occupational health protection requirements.
