Surface-active Agent

Name:
Surface-active Agent
Detailed information:
(surfactant). Any compound that reduces surface tension when dissolved in water or water solutions, or that reduces interfacial tension between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. There are three categories of surface-active agents: detergents, wetting agents, and emulsifiers; all use the same basic chemical mechanism and differ chiefly in the nature of the surfaces involved.See Interface; Surface Chemistry.