The term surfactant is a contraction of surface‐active agent. Surfactant has become universally accepted to describe organic substances having certain characteristic features in structure and properties. The term detergent is often used interchangeably with surfactant. As a designation for a substance capable of cleaning, detergent can also encompass inorganic substances when these do in fact perform a cleaning function. More often, detergent refers to a combination of surfactants with other substances, organic or inorganic, formulated to enhance functional performance, specifically cleaning, over that of the surfactant alone. Surfactants are characterized by amphipathic structure, solubility, adsorption at interfaces, orientation at interfaces, micelle formation, and functional properties. Each is discussed, as are uses, production, and economic aspects.

Physical Chemistry of Interfaces Anionic Surfactants Nonionic Surfactants Amphoteric Surfactants Uses