Complete quality analysis of commercial surface-active products by Fourier-transform near infrared spectroscopy

Using proper calibration data Fourier-transform near infrared spectroscopy is used for developing multivariate calibrations for different analytical determinations routinely used in the surfactants industry. Four products were studied: oleyl-cetyl alcohol polyethoxylated, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and nonylphenol polyethoxylated (NPEO). Calibrations for major as well as very low concentrated compounds were achieved and every model was validated through linearity, bias, accuracy and precision tests, showing good results and the viability of NIR spectroscopy as a full quality control method for this products. Duplicate and complete analysis on a single sample takes at most 3 min, requiring neither sample preparation nor the use of reagents. The analytical reference procedures involved in this work represent the typical ones used in the industry and the NIR method shows good results in the analysis of components with weight concentrations less than 1%.