HPLC Separation of Surfactants on Zodiac HST RP Column

Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules composed of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. They are commonly used in detergents, where they encapsulate hydrophobic particles like dirt by forming micelles, facilitating their removal with water.

Triton X-100, a nonionic surfactant containing a hydrophilic polyethylene oxide chain, can be effectively separated on the Zodiac HST RP mixed-mode reversed-phase HPLC column. Separation is based on the number of ethylene oxide units in the chain.

The method uses a mobile phase of water, acetonitrile (MeCN/ACN), and sulfuric acid as the buffer, with UV detection at 210 nm, offering precise characterization of Triton X-100 oligomer distribution.