Preparation and properties of non-ionic polyurethane surfactants

A series of non-ionic polyurethane surfactants were synthesized by the reaction of isophorone diisocyanate with glycerol monostearate and mono methoxy polyethylene glycol. The chemical structure of the polyurethane surfactant was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR. These tailor-made surfactants exhibit excellent surface activity, but do not have a definite critical micelle concentration. The effects of pH and salt resulted in a decrease in surface tension. It was found that cloud points of the surfactants raise with increasing ethoxylated content. The emulsifying capability is also affected by the ethoxylated content and attenuated as the hydrophilic nature of monomer declines. The micelle can form from the surfactant solution and the size is increased with the solution concentration. The solubilization capability has been proved by UV spectra.