Surfactants can be divided into four categories based on their structural characteristics: anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and nonionic. Among them, anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic surfactants can all dissociate into ions in aqueous solutions.
In dissociated cation anion pairs, ions that act as surfactants are negatively charged as anionic, positively charged as cationic, and both positively and negatively charged as zwitterionic.
Anionic surfactants have good washing and foaming effects and are often used in cleaning products.
Cationic surfactants have good bactericidal, anti-static, and hair softening effects, and are often used in hair conditioners.
The washing effect of zwitterionic surfactants is weak, but their foaming, stabilizing, and thickening effects are good. They are often used as auxiliary anionic surfactants in cleaning products to enhance the cleaning effect and reduce irritation.
Non ionic surfactants have good emulsifying and solubilizing effects and low irritation. They are mostly used in cream, lotion products and aqueous products that need solubilization.
