Which Surfactant Gives the Highest Stability Against Calcium Ion?

Manufacturer: We have quite a range of surfactants/stabilizers to select for best effect against the destabilization of the latex by Calcium ion. Can you give us a clue as to which type is the best.


John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant):  Based on some work done on 1% aqueous solution of the stabilizers titrated with 1% solution of a calcium salt, the degree of effectiveness of the surfactants/stabilizers in countering the destabilizing effect of calcium ion in decreasing order is as follows:

Alkyl phenol ethylene oxide condensate > Alkyl aryl polyether sulphonate > Sodium alkyl sulphate > Alkyl aryl sulphonate > Sodium salt of rosin acid > Potassium oleate (i.e. potassium oleate is the least effective)