IISc Develops Eco-Friendly Surfactant from Cashew Waste

In August 2024, researchers at IISc introduced a new surfactant made from cashew nut shell liquid, offering a sustainable alternative to toxic organic solvents in industrial synthesis.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry has developed a surfactant using micellar catalysis from agricultural waste.
The surfactant, named CNSL-1000-M, is derived from cashew nut shell liquid, a byproduct of cashew processing.
Traditional chemical syntheses often use toxic organic solvents, which generate significant waste and pose disposal challenges.
CNSL-1000-M combines cardanol from cashew nut shell liquid with m-PEG, creating micelles that provide water-free pockets for sensitive reactions.
This approach mimics biological systems, where natural enzymes use similar hydrophobic pockets.
The surfactant has been tested for catalyzing the formation of carbon-phosphorus bonds, crucial for compounds like anticancer agents and organic LEDs.
CNSL-1000-M achieved 80% higher product yields in water compared to organic solvents and 30% higher yields than existing surfactants in water.