Trace analysis of cationic surfactants in water using hplc with conductometric detection

Abstract

A simple and fast determination of trace amounts of commercially used cationic surfactants is described. After extraction from water cationic surfactants are separated by HPLC and detected by conductometry. The detection limit is 3 μg/l for distearyldimethylammonium chloride, 16 μg/l for ditallowimidazolinium methosulphate, and 6 μg/l for dodecylpyridinium chloride.