Description
Sodium dodecyl sulphate is an anionic surfactant, and is a typical representative of sulphate-based surfactant. It is abbreviated as SDS, and also known as AS, K12, coco alcohol sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and foaming agent.
Physical properties
Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate is usually white to light yellow crystalline powder. It is non-toxic, slightly soluble in alcohol, insoluble in chloroform and ether, soluble in water, and has good anionic and nonionic complex compatibility.
Characteristics
Sodium dodecyl sulphate has good emulsibility, foamability, and foaming, infiltrating, decontaminating and dispersing properties. It is abundant in foams and quickly biodegradable, and has solubility next only to fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sodium sulphate (abbreviated as AES).
Uses
Sodium dodecyl sulphate is a major component of detergent. It is usually used in the DNA extraction process to separate DNA after protein denaturation. It is often misread as sodium dodecyl sulfonate. It is widely used as a foaming agent in toothpaste, soap, shower gel, shampoo, detergent and cosmetics.
Health Hazard
Toxicity LD50 is 1300mg/kg. There is no evidence that sodium dodecyl sulphate is carcinogenic, but high doses may indeed irritate the skin.
Incompatibilities
Sodium dodecyl sulphate is incompatible with strong oxidizers, and it is also incompatible with cationic materials and with acids with pH below 2.5. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible.
