ANALYSIS OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS BY HPLC USING EVAPORATIVE LIGHT-SCATTERING DETECTOR

The analysis of surfactants, the basis of numerous surface wetting agents, detergents, emulsifiers, cosmetic products... is frequently carried out by liquid chromatography. Unfortunately, the analyses are very complex because of the use of gradients and the lack of suitable chromophore. The object of this study by HPLC using an evaporative light-scattering detector was to select chromatographic conditions that characterize the majority of the different nonionic surfactants (ethoxylated, oxypropylated, propoethoxylated, ethopropoxylated), according to their hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.