A series of ether-linkage nonionic dimeric surfactants containing multi-hydrophilic groups have been synthesized by the reaction of polyoxyethylenated stearyl ether, polypropylene glycol and epichlorohydrin. 1H-NMR, FTIR and element analysis have been used to confirm the structure of these compounds. These surfactants have been found to exhibit excellent surface active properties including reducing surface tension, pH buffer capacity, wetting power and metallic ions dispersibility. These surfactants have also been found to exhibit the retarding abilities in direct dye-cotton dyeing system.
