SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP32855S

Phosphorus-Based Anionic Surface-Active Agents and Their Role in Agrochemical Formulations

Source

Phosphorus-based anionic surfactants prepared by reacting an alcohol or an ethoxylate with tetraphosphoric acid (TPA) or with phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) are complex in structure, yielding differing compositions of mono- and diprotic species of alkyl phosphates. When surfactants prepared from TPA-based product and P2O5-based product are compared, it is seen that whilst the free alcohol content is essentially the same, the monoester content has been considerably increased at the expense of the “diprotic” or polyphosphate species. The properties exhibited by these surface-active agents can be directly attributed to these structural differences and are particularly emphasized in the formulation of agrochemicals. Phosphates prepared using P2O5 can be of significant advantage in the formulation of emulsifiable concentrates and suspension concentrates where the influence of the diprotic species assists emulsion stability and dispersion rheology, whereas the TPA route is preferable in circumstances involving high electrolyte conditions such as fertilizer solutions.

Author Information

Sheridan, GP
Surfactant & Surface Coatings, Lankro Chemicals Ltd., Eccles, Manchester, England
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Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 5–14
DOI: 10.1520/STP32855S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4940-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0413-6