Surfactants: Chemistry and Applications

In an attempt to provide an overview of compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid the long essay focus on the chemistry of surfactants and their applications in detergents wetting agents emulsifiers foaming agents and dispersants. The classification of surfactants base on their uses was made considering the most accepted and scientifically sound classification based on their dissociation in water. Polymeric surfactants were also concisely discussed.