Triethanolamine, also known as tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, is an organic compound that can be regarded as the trihydroxy-substituted derivative of triethylamine, with the chemical formula C6H15NO3. Similar to other amine compounds, due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, triethanolamine exhibits weak alkalinity and can react with inorganic or organic acids to form salts.

Chemical formula: C6H15NO3
Molecular weight: 149.188
CAS number: 102-71-6
EINECS number: 203-049-8

1. Used in cosmetics (including skin cleansers, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos, etc.) as an emulsifier, humectant, moisturizer, thickener, and pH balancer. In cosmetic formulations, it is used to neutralize fatty acids into soap. Triethanolamine is a commonly used emulsifier in cream preparations. Cream products emulsified with triethanolamine have a fine texture and bright white appearance. Additionally, the colloidal phase formed by triethanolamine with higher fatty acids or higher fatty alcohols exhibits good stability, ensuring product quality stability and allowing a high proportion of additional ingredients. Triethanolamine is the most commonly used neutralizing agent for acidic polymer gels containing carbomer. By neutralizing the carboxyl groups of carbomer, triethanolamine forms a stable polymer structure, achieving thickening and moisturizing effects.
2. Adding triethanolamine to liquid detergents improves the removal of oily stains, especially non-polar sebum, while enhancing detergency by increasing alkalinity. It also has excellent compatibility.
3. Used as a curing agent for epoxy resins, with a reference dosage of 12-15 parts (by mass). Curing conditions: 80°C/4h or 120°C/2h. It can also be used as a vulcanization activator for natural and synthetic rubber, a rubber polymerization activator, and as a lubricant and anti-corrosion additive. The long-chain fatty acid salts of triethanolamine are almost neutral and can be used as emulsifiers for oils and waxes.
4. Used as a complexing agent for aluminum ions in solutions. This reaction is typically employed to "mask" specific ions (preventing them from participating in titration) before complexometric titration with another chelating agent (such as EDTA, which forms stable complexes with most metal ions).
5. Triethanolamine and its salt solutions serve as process additives and early-strength agents (0.1% of total mass) in cement clinker grinding. They not only prevent particle aggregation and cushioning during crushing, improving the fluidity and packing density of cement, but also reduce the power consumption of grinding machines. However, the extent to which triethanolamine complexes heavy metals and radioactive isotopes in the cement matrix increase their solubility remains an unresolved issue.
6. Triethanolamine oleate, formed by the reaction of triethanolamine with oleic acid under high-temperature catalytic conditions, is an important component in the preparation of corrosion inhibitors used in boiler water treatment, automotive engine coolants, drilling, and cutting oils in the machining industry, protecting metal surfaces from oxidation.
7. Used as a stationary phase in gas chromatography.
8. Serves as an efficient chelating agent for various heavy metals.
9. In alkaline zincate zinc plating, it can complex with zinc, enhancing the cathodic polarization of the plating solution and resulting in a fine-grained coating. High content reduces deposition speed, while low content leads to gray, rough coatings with poor dispersibility. The general content range is 20–30 ml/L. However, the high viscosity of triethanolamine lowers the upper limit of the current density of the plating solution.
10. Used in the textile industry as an excellent solvent and hygroscopic agent. It is a raw material for fabric softeners.
11. Acts as an industrial gas purifier, used in waste gas treatment to remove acidic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
12. Due to its potential use in the production of nitrogen mustard gas, triethanolamine is listed in the Chemical Weapons Convention.
13. Others: Pharmaceutical excipient. Can be used as a solvent for casein, shellac, dyes, etc. Also used as a fiber treatment agent,防腐添加劑, plasticizer, photographic developer additive, engine anti-carbon agent, etc. Serves as a plasticizer, neutralizing agent, lubricant additive, or corrosion inhibitor, as well as a dispersant for dyes and resins. Also used in the synthesis of surfactants and stabilizers.