Triton X-100 is Octyl Phenol Ethoxylate, a reagent grade non-ionic surfactant (detergent). Sea-Bird uses it to help keep our conductivity cells clean and the electrodes wetted and ready for immediate use in water (a dry cell requires a few minutes to become completely wetted after immersion). Triton X-100 will not harm conductivity cells, temperature sensors, or pumped fluorometers. Do not place concentrated Triton X-100 directly on the membrane or optical window of a dissolved oxygen sensor.
Triton X-100 is supplied in 100% strength.
- Conductivity sensors — Triton is typically diluted to 0.1% strength (by 1000) for rinsing and for rewetting the conductivity cell just before deployment, and to 1% to 2% strength (by 50 to 100) for cleaning the conductivity cell. Refer to Application Note 2D: Instructions for Care and Cleaning of Conductivity Cells and to the maintenance section in the instrument manual for details.
- SBE 43 (membrane-type) Dissolved Oxygen sensors — Triton is typically diluted to 0.1% strength (by 1000) for rinsing, and to 1% (by 100) for cleaning. Prolonged exposure of the sensor membrane to Triton causes the sensor’s calibration to drift. Do not place Triton directly on the membrane. See Application Note 64: SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen Sensor – Background Information, Deployment Recommendations, and Cleaning and Storage for details.
- SBE 63 Optical Dissolved Oxygen sensors — Triton is typically diluted to 0.1% strength (by 1000) for rinsing, and to 1% (by 100) for cleaning. Do not place Triton directly on the optical window. See the SBE 63 manual for details.
Triton X-100 can be ordered from Sea-Bird, but should also be available locally from a chemical supply or laboratory products companies. It is manufactured by Avantor Performance Materials (see https://www.avantormaterials.com/commerce/product.aspx?id=2147509608). See our MSDS page to view the Material Safety Data Sheet.