Strategies and characterization methods in the preparation of polymeric surfactants for various applications

Abstract

The polymeric surfactants are gaining the attention of researchers and scientists because of their enhanced surface-active properties. In this review, an effort is made to highlight the application of polymeric surfactants and discuss the methods used for their synthesis from different types of feedstocks. The physicochemical properties of polymeric surfactants are superior to conventional surfactants with excellent surface-active features. The development of analytical methods for the characterization of polymers with complex macromolecular structural architectures is essential for the synthesis of polymeric surfactants. Emphasis is laid upon the discussion on the intermolecular micellar aggregates formed as a result of interactions between the polymer backbone and the amphiphilic micelles along with the impact of controlled polymerization to enhance the features of the polymeric surfactants in the detergent industry. An effort to comprehensively analyze the methods deployed for the synthesis of polymeric surfactants concerning their characteristic features that are unique to polymeric surfactants which enable them to be extensively used in the detergent industry is done. These discussions will help in understanding and designing polymeric surfactants for specific applications in the detergent industry.