Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quaternary Ammonium Cation Src: wikipedia.org Quaternary Ammonium Compounds are any compounds in which a nitrogen atom is joined with four organic radicals and one acid radical.
To Buy Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, please visit : tatvachintan.com/products.htm Also reffered to as QUATs, Quaternary Ammonium Compouns are widely used in industry as surface-active agents, disinfectants, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, and wood preservation. Usually Chlorine or Bromine is used as anion with quaternary ammonium cations. QUATs have good penetration ability to deal with porous surface. QUATs are natural wetting agents and have natural detergent properties and hence they are also reffered to as synthetic surface active agents. Most of industrial applications of QUATs are related to its characteristic of strong affinity for surfaces which makes them powerful surfactants. Almost on every surface, Quaternary ammonium compounds adsorb and form a monolayer. As most of surfaces are negatively charged, they will attract positively charged quaternary ammonium ions. Having hydrophobic characteristics, quaternary ammonium compounds repel the water. Certain long alkyl chain quaternary ammonium compounds are widely used as antimicrobials and disinfectants. As QUATs disrupts the cell membrane, inactivates energy-producing enzymes and denaturates proteins, they are used as antiseptics. When applied to surfaces, Quaternary ammonium compounds form a residual antimicrobial film which is bacteriostatic and destructs various microorganisms. It is to be cleared that QUATs do not kill bacteria but they inhibit their growth.
The efficiency of quaternary ammonium compounds is easily impaired by organic matter and hence they easily sanitize stainless steel and polycarbonate than abraded polycarbonate or mineral resin surfaces. Quaternary ammonium compounds have no odour and taste and are noncorrosive and non-irritating to our skin. As QUATs are easily inactivated by anionic compounds, they are not recommended to be used in hard water.
Characteristics of QUATs : -Colorless -Odorless -Nonirritating to skin -Resistant to corrosion of metals -Unaffected by hard water -Non-toxic -Good surfactants -Effective against mold growth -Long shelf life -Stable against temperature fluctuation
Four categories of QUATs : Group I: The alkyl or hydroxyl (straight chain) substituted Quats Group II: The non-halogenated benzyl substituted Quats (including hydroxybenzyl, hydroxyethylbenzyl, naphylmethyl, dodecyhlbenzhyl, and alkyl benzyl) Group III: The di- and tri-chlorobenzyl substituted Quats Group IV: Quats with unusual substitutes (charged heterocyclic compounds)
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