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difference between Ionic, Non ionic and Cationic?
What are the difference between Ionic, Non ionic and Cationic waxes/bases. Fatty alcohols and fatty acids difference.
Kindly explain in the very simple language, Not in polar and bonds/ carbons language, I am not MSC Chemistry.Pros, Cons, Uses and how to mix or emulsify in water for cream/ Lotion. -
5 Replies
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its a difficult question(for me of course) …
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I don’t think I can do this - ionic: anionic, cationic, nonionic are all chemistry terms, as is the difference between alcohols and acids. I am not even sure it’s possible to explain chemistry in non-chemical terms.
Can anyone else take a stab at this? -
Eeesh. That’s quite the challenge. If you avoid chemistry definitions, you can really only get a very basic understanding of what those terms mean.
I think the pivotal concept that cannot be avoided would be “charge” (or “electrical charge” but for simplicity’s sake, lets stick with “charge” for now). A molecule can either have a “charge” or not have a “charge”. If it does have a “charge” it is said to be “ionic“, and conversely if it does not have a “charge” it is said to be “non-ionic“.Now within this broad definition of “charge” we are working with, there are two kinds. “Positive charge” and “negative charge”. If a molecule has a “positive charge” it is said to be “Cationic“. If a molecule has a “negative charge” it is said to be “Anionic“. -
“What are the difference between Ionic, Non ionic and Cationic waxes/bases. Fatty alcohols and fatty acids difference.”
It seems to me that the original question is a bit off the mark. It’s not fatty alcohols and fatty acids that have these properties (they are nonpolar substances and so they won’t have an electrical charge). It is surfactants that usually are specified in such a way. -
Here is a good start, go at your own pace
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