Synthesis and properties of sucrose fatty acid esters-based non-ionic surfactants

Abstract

Sucrose octanoate (SE8), sucrose lauroate (SE12), sucrose myristoate (SE14) and sucrose palmitoate (SE16) were synthesized by the transesterification of sucrose with the aliphatic esters under ultrasound irradiation. Their surface properties such as surface tension, CMC, hydrophile-lipophile balance value (HLB), emulsification and wetting properties were determined. And using platinum black electrode polluted by engine oil 32#, the effect of decontamination about the surfactants was studied. The result showed the data of surface tension and CMC of sucrose esters (SE8~SE16) are lower than that of traditional surfactants and they also show good properties of wetting, emulsification and decontamination.