Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance

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The Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of a surfactant is a measure of the degree to which it is hydrophilic or lipophilic, determined by calculating values for the different regions of the molecule, as described by Griffin in 1949[1] and 1954.[2] Other methods have been suggested, notably in 1957 by Davies[3].

Griffin's method for non-ionic surfactants as described in 1954 works as follows:

HLB = 20 * Mh / M

where Mh is the molecular mass of the hydrophilic portion of the Molecule, and M is the molecular mass of the whole molecule, giving a result on an arbitrary scale of 0 to 20. An HLB value of 0 corresponds to a completely hydrophobic molecule, and a value of 20 would correspond to a molecule made up completely of hydrophilic components.

The HLB value can be used to predict the surfactant properties of a molecule:

  • A value from 3 to 6 indicates a W/O emulsifier
  • A value from 7 to 9 indicates a wetting agent
  • A value from 8 to 12 indicates an O/W emulsifier
  • A value from 12 to 15 is typical of detergents
  • A value of 15 to 20 indicates a solubiliser or hydrotrope.

In 1957, Davies suggested a method based on calculating a value based on the chemical groups of the molecule. The advantage of this method is that it takes into account the effect of strongly and less strongly hydrophilic groups. The method works as follows:

HLB = 7 + m * Hh + n * Hl

with:

m - number of hydrophilic groups in the molecule

Hh - Value of the hydrophilic groups

n - Number of lipophilic groups in the molecule

Hl - Value of the lipophilic groups

  1. ^ Griffin WC: "Classification of Surface-Active Agents by 'HLB,'" Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 1 (1949): 311.
  2. ^ Griffin WC: "Calculation of HLB Values of Non-Ionic Surfactants," Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 5 (1954): 259
  3. ^ Davies JT: "A quantitative kinetic theory of emulsion type, I. Physical chemistry of the emulsifying agent," Gas/Liquid and Liquid/Liquid Interface. Proceedings of the International Congress of Surface Activity (1957): 426-438
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