Brij

Ethoxylated natural fatty alcohols for Home Care

The Brij range of nonionic surfactants are alkyl polyglycol ethers derived from a variety of straight and branched
chain alcohols. The Brij range conforms to the general structure outlined below, where R represents the alkyl
group of the parent alcohol and n is the number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO).

R (OCH2CH2)n OH
Figure 1: Chemical structure of generic Brij molecule
Brijs are produced by reacting EO with a particular fatty alcohol. The standard ranges are based upon Lauryl
(L), cetyl (C), cetearyl (CS), stearyl (S) and oleyl (O) alcohols. The number suffix in the product name indicates
the level of ethoxylation i.e. Brij O5 contains 5 moles of EO.
Product range

Alkyl chain length

Chemical name

Products

(n = no. moles of EO)

(no. moles of EO)

Brij L

C12

Laureth-n

4, 23

Brij C

C16

Ceteth-n

2, 20

Brij CS

C16 C18

Ceteareth-n

12, 20, 25

Brij S

C18

Steareth-n

2, 10, 20, 21

Brij O

C18:1

Oleth-n

2, 5, 10, 20

Functional benefits

Detergents
Wetting agents
Dispersing agents
Emulsifiers
Solubilisers

The function and application of the Brij range is dependent on both the source fatty alcohol and the degree of
ethoxylation. General guidelines for the product ranges are shown in table 1.

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Function

Brij L

Brij C / CS / S

Brij O

Oil dispersant
Co-emulsifiers

HR

Detergent viscosity modifiers

Dispersing agents

Emulsifiers Cream based

HR
HR

Emulsifiers macroemulsions

HR

Solubilisers

HR

HR

Wetting agents

HR

HR

Key

HR highly recommended

R recommended

Table 1: Application guidelines for the Brij range

As ethoxylated alcohols, the Brijs are classified as ethers and possess certain behavioural characteristics
inherent to these compounds. The presence of an ether linkage results in a greatly reduced to hydrolyse.
These properties enable them to exhibit greater tolerance to more extreme levels of pH and to tolerate higher
levels of electrolytes than ester-type surfactants. Brijs are therefore particularly recommended for use in
extreme pH formulations.
Brijs behave synergistically and can therefore be formulated to greater effect when used in combination. This is
particularly evident in the case of difficult to formulate emulsions such as clear gel microemulsions.
Detergency and cleaning
The selection of surfactants for detergent applications is usually carried out on the basis of chemical structure,
e.g. relative sizes of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. Optimum performance can be achieved with an
alkyl chain length around C12 C15 and 4 10 moles of ethylene oxide. Brij L grades are particularly
recommended for their rapid wetting and detergency. These properties make the Brij range highly useful in a
variety of household detergent formulations.
Brijs are also effective emulsifiers and dispersing agents for many of the solvents used in liquid cleaners and
degreasers. Brij O5 and Brij O10 are particularly useful for these applications.
The diverse properties of the Brij range makes these products suitable for all other types of cleaners such as
liquid and solid detergent formulations, vehicle shampoo and wax cleaners, steel and glass cleaners. They can
be utilised alone or in combination with anionic, cationic or other nonionic surfactants.

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Emulsification
When developing an emulsifying system it is often advantageous to use two or more surfactants. These will
consist of one surfactant of relatively low HLB and another of relatively high HLB. A third component of
intermediate HLB is sometimes incorporated. The average HLB of the mixture should approximate that
required to emulsify the oily or dispersed phased.
HLB

Product name

Chemical name

4.9
Brij S2
4.9
Brij O2
5.3
Brij C2
9.1
Brij O5
9.7
Brij L4
12.4
Brij S10
12.4
Brij O10
12.9
Brij C20
13.4
Brij CS12
15.3
Brij S20
15.3
Brij O20
15.7
Brij CS20
16.2
Brij CS25
16.9
Brij L23
Table 2: HLB values for Brij range

Steareth-2
Oleth-2
Ceteth-2
Oleth-5
Laureth-4
Steareth-10
Oleth-10
Ceteth-20
Ceteareth-12
Steareth-20
Oleth-20
Ceteareth-20
Ceteareth-25
Laureth-23

Brijs are often used with anionic surfactants such as alkyl ether phosphates and sulphated oils. Such mixtures
generally produce emulsions with a very fine dispersion and improved stability.
Emulsification data
Emulsion characterisics of a 10% solvent and selected Brij (90/100) in water at 25C are shown below:
Product Name

Mineral oil

Kerosene

Rapeseed oil

Methyl oleate

Brij L4

Brij L23

Brij CS12

Brij CS20

Brij S2

Brij S20

Brij O2

Brij O20

Key

Good easily achieved, stable emulsion, small particle size

Fair emulsion achieved with moderate ease, large particle size emulsion

Poor non emulsifying

Table 3: Emulsification characteristics of selected Brijs

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Solubility and solubilisation

The water solubility of members in each series increases with the degree of ethoxylation. Thus, the higher
ethoxylates such as Brij O20, C20, CS20 and S20 are soluble in water and insoluble in mineral oil and other
non-polar solvents. The lower ethoxylates such as Brij L4, O2 and S2 are soluble in mineral oil and other nonpolar solvents, but are insoluble in water.
Product applications

Hard surfaces
Polishes
Fabric Care
Vehicle Cleaners

Hard surfaces
Hard surface cleaners are usually based on acidic or alkaline systems and therefore necessitate a surfactant
which is chemically stable at extreme pH. Brijs are often preferred in these cases because of their stability and
relatively low foaming properties. They are effective wetting agents and the performance of the cleaner can be
optimised by selecting the Brij that is most suitable for the application.
Polishes
Brijs are excellent emulsifiers for wax / solvent combinations and can be used in many types of formulations
ranging from aerosol furniture polishes to car wash and wax polishes. Brij CS20, S20 and O20 are particularly
effective emulsifiers for many natural and synthetic waxes.
Fabric care
Compatibility and chemical stability make the Brij range useful formulating aids in laundry liquid and powder
detergents and conditioning agents. Utilised in the textile processing industry, the Brij range are effective at all
temperature below cloud point and impart lubricity and antistatic properties to the finish. Textile oils and fibre
finish agents can be emulsified by products in the Brij L, O and CS ranges.
Vehicle cleaning
Microemulsion degreasers and traffic film removers for automotive care benefit in performance from a
combination of the Brij O series and Crodafos phosphate esters. As a blend, the two are able to produce
superior gels with excellent clarity, doing so at a concentration that minimises the level of surfactant required
and hence, reducing irritation levels caused by excessive surfactant use. This is beneficial for harsh system
used in the consumer markets.

Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is
made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular
purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright,
trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
2009 Croda Europe Ltd

Croda Europe Ltd Cowick Hall Snaith Goole East Yorkshire DN14 9AA England
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Fax +44 (0)1405 861767 E-mail homecare-europe@croda.com www.croda.com/europe

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