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cationic detergent

Also known as: Invert soap

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Cationic detergents are synthetic cleaning agents characterized by a long-chain cation responsible for their surface-active properties. These detergents, often in powder, paste, or solution form, exhibit wetting, foaming, and emulsifying capabilities, though they are not considered strong detergents.1

A common example is a quaternary ammonium salt, such as cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium chloride, with 12 to 24 carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom in the cation. Cationic detergents are valuable in applications where anionic detergents are unsuitable, such as in road surfacing as emulsifying agents for asphalt, due to their strong absorption on minerals. They also possess significant germicidal properties and are used in dilute forms in surgical settings.21

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