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Structurally, quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants are formed by replacing the four hydrogen atoms of the ammonium salt with organic groups, and are usually prepared by reacting tertiary amines with alkylating agents. The alkylating agents used include halogenated alkanes such as chloromethane and benzyl chloride; Dimethyl sulfate and other dialkyl sulfate esters; Epoxides such as ethylene oxide; Sulfonic acid esters such as methyl toluenesulfonate. By reacting these alkylating agents with tertiary amines, corresponding quaternary ammonium salt surfactants can be obtained. Quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants have strong alkalinity, do not produce free amines in alkaline solutions, and have stable properties. Quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants have many excellent properties and can be used as anti-static agents, softeners, color reducers, fixatives, etc. for fibers. They can also be used as disinfectants and hair care agents for hair cosmetics. According to their structure, quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants can be divided into six types: 

• Alkyl trimethylammonium salt cationic surfactant: Alkyl trimethylammonium salts are prepared by reacting higher fatty amines with chloromethane in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The representative product of this surfactant is Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, which is easily soluble in water, transparent, and has good surface activity. It can be used as an anti-static agent for external coatings such as shampoo, disinfectant detergent, polystyrene resin, anti-static agent for fibers, leveling agent, demulsifier, and dispersant.
• Dialkyldimethylammonium salt cationic surfactant: Dialkyldimethylammonium salt is prepared by reacting dialkylamine or dialkylmethylamine with chloromethane in the presence of sodium hydroxide. This surfactant can be used as a softener for shampoo or household fiber products, with good performance, and is now widely used.
• Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium salt cationic surfactant: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride is prepared by reacting alkyl dimethyl tertiary amine with benzyl chloride. One representative example is dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, which is easily soluble in water, transparent, and has bactericidal and disinfectant properties at a concentration of a few tens of thousands. It is non irritating to the skin, non-toxic, and does not corrode metals. It is stable even in boiling water, and its bactericidal power increases with increasing pH value. In addition, it has good foaming power.
• Pyridine salt cationic surfactant: Pyridine anchor salts are prepared by reacting pyridine with alkyl halides. Surfactants belonging to this category include hexadecylpyridine chloride, lutetium hexadecylpyridine bromide, heptadecylmethylaminopyridine chloride, dodecylpyridine chloride anchor, benzyl pyridine chloride anchor, etc. They are mainly used as fiber waterproofing agents, dyeing auxiliaries, and fungicides, with relatively small amounts.
• Alkyl isoquinoline gallium salt cationic surfactant is a good fungicide and can also be used in shampoo or hair care products for dandruff removal.
• Benzylammonium chloride cationic surfactant: Benzalkonium chloride has the same properties as alkyl dimethyl octyl ammonium chloride and is mainly used as a fungicide.