Review of potentiometric determination of cationic surfactants

Abstract

Abstract Cationic surfactants (CSs) are surface-active compounds containing a positively charged polar group and at least one alkyl chain as a nonpolar group. Due to their structure, they tend to adsorb on negatively charged surfaces and interact with biopolyanions. It leads to their wide use as disinfectants, cleaning agents, fabric softeners, hair care products, emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, etc. Considering their extensive use and also their toxicity, fast, simple, and accurate CSs determination is crucial in industrial process control, product quality assurance, and environmental monitoring. Potentiometric sensors meet all these requirements, so they stand as the primary method for CSs determination. In this review, numerous potentiometric methods for CSs determination have been described, with a particular focus on methods published in the period from 2000 to 2024. Due to their simplicity and good analytical performance, solid-state electrodes are the most commonly used type of sensor for CSs determination.