I. White

A general, sensitive method for detecting surfactants

Abstract An inexpensive, sensitive technique has been developed to detect trace quantities of surfactants. The technique employs a novel detector which measures the superheat temperature of evaporating water. The water superheat temperature is dependent on the natural convective flow within the water which is, in turn, extremely sensitive to the presence of surfactants. The smallest amount of surfactant detected was 1.5 × 10 −10 mole. The method can be used for volatile and nonvolatile, and soluble and insoluble compounds and thus is useful for ionic and nonionic surfactants. Examples are given of trace surfactant impurities detected in the air and in reagents.