What is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride used for

As a core member of the cationic surfactant family, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride CAS 7173-51-5, abreviado como DDAC, also known as didecyldimethylammonium chloride. DDAC is precisely because of its highly efficient sterilization and mild safety features that it has achieved deep penetration in multiple fields such as industry, daily chemicals, and agriculture.

I. Basic Information

Chemical structure

The molecular structure of didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac consists of two decyl hydrophobic long chains, one dimethyl hydrophilic group and a chloride ion. Its molecular formula is, and its molecular weight is approximately 362.08.

Physical properties

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac has good stability at room temperature;

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac is readily soluble in polar organic solvents such as ethanol and isopropanol, and can be dispersed in water to form a uniform system;

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac has a relatively low surface tension, which can effectively reduce the interfacial energy of water and exert emulsifying and dispersing effects.

II. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride Uses

1. Industrial field: The “Safety Guardian” for sterilization and algae removal

In industrial circulating water systems, DDAC is gradually replacing traditional disinfectants and becoming the mainstream choice. The active ingredient content of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride 80 produced by Unilong Company is over 80%. In the circulating cooling water system, only 10-50 PPM is needed to achieve a killing rate of over 99.9% for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This high efficiency is also prominent in the papermaking industry. Adding 0.05-0.2% of DDAC can effectively inhibit pulp mold growth, reducing production losses by 12%.

The application in the oilfield field shows more technological advantages. As a key additive for drilling fluid, didecyldimethylammonium chloride DDAC has dual functions of sterilization and clay stabilization, and can effectively prevent wellbore collapse. The bactericidal effect of DDAC is superior to that of traditional dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, and it can maintain a long-term antibacterial effect in the oilfield water injection system.

2. Daily Chemicals and Medical Care: The “New Home Choice” for Gentle Disinfection

Driven by the upgrading of consumption, the application of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride in the daily chemical field has achieved a qualitative breakthrough. Quaternary ammonium salt components represented by DDAC are becoming the preferred choice for household disinfection due to their “non-irritating and low-corrosive” characteristics. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride DDAC has been scientifically combined with other quaternary ammonium salts to develop disinfectant wipes suitable for pregnant and infant families. The sterilization rate has been increased to 99.99%, and it has passed the oral non-toxicity test, solving the irritation problem of traditional disinfectants. ​

In the field of personal care, the conditioning function of DDAC is highly favored. Its molecules can effectively adsorb onto the surface of hair, reducing static electricity and improving smoothness, and have become the core ingredient of high-end shampoos. Data shows that in 2023, the daily chemical industry accounted for 42% of the market share of cationic surfactants, among which the growth rate of DDAC-related products reached 15%. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is expected that the market size of this field will exceed 16 billion yuan by 2025. In the medical field, DDAC disinfectants, which are used in combination with enhancers such as glutaraldehyde, are widely applied in the disinfection of medical devices, filling the market gap of medium-level disinfectants. ​

3. Agriculture and Environmental Protection: “Technical Support” for Green Development

The application innovation in the agricultural field has opened up new growth space for didecyldimethylammonium chloride DDAC. In the environmental disinfection of livestock farms, didecyldimethylammonium chloride spray with a concentration of 200-400 PPM can achieve a long-lasting antibacterial effect for 7 days. After its application in a large-scale pig farm, the incidence of diseases decreased by 22%. What is more worthy of attention is its breakthrough in the field of agricultural product preservation. New research shows that the degradable formula based on DDAC can extend the preservation period of fruits and vegetables by 3 to 5 days, and the degradation products are non-toxic and harmless, which meets the development needs of green agriculture.

III. Product Features

Vantagem

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride 80 has a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity and has a good inhibitory effect on bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., and the effect is long-lasting.

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac has multiple functions such as antistatic, emulsifying and softening, and can be used for multiple purposes with one material;

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride has good compatibility with most additives and can be used in flexible scenarios.

Precautions

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is cationic and should not be mixed with anionic surfactants; otherwise, the effect will be reduced or even precipitation will occur.

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is somewhat irritating. Protective measures should be taken when it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes. When using it, the concentration ratio must be strictly followed.

When exporting, it is necessary to pay attention to the compliance requirements of the target country for disinfection/surfactant chemicals. In some regions, toxicity test reports or environmental protection certifications may be required

IV. Summary

Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride is a cationic surfactant, belonging to the quaternary ammonium salt compounds, and it possesses unique surface activity and biological activity. With the release of demand in emerging fields such as new energy and biomedicine, the boundaries of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride uses will continue to expand. Industry insiders predict that under the dual impetus of technological innovation and green policies, this “versatile” chemical will achieve breakthroughs in more niche scenarios, injecting lasting momentum into the trillion-yuan surfactant market.

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ddac has a wide range of uses including industrial water system bactericidal algae removal, daily chemical care product conditioning, and agricultural breeding disinfection; if you want to buy didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, you can contact professional didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride manufacturers , which have stable production capacity to meet different application needs. We have stable production capacity and can meet different application requirements.