Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, often abbreviated as AEO, is a type of non-ionic surfactant. Non-ionic surfactants are chemicals that reduce the surface tension of liquids and enhance the mixing of substances. They do so without carrying an electrical charge, unlike ionic surfactants which are charged.

AEO surfactants are derived from fatty alcohols, which are typically obtained from natural sources such as coconut or palm oil. These fatty alcohols are then ethoxylated, meaning they are treated with ethylene oxide (EO) to create a polyoxyethylene chain. The number of ethylene oxide units added to the fatty alcohol can vary, leading to different types of AEO surfactants with different properties.

AEO surfactants are commonly used in a variety of industrial and household products, including detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, and foaming agents. They are known for their ability to stabilize emulsions (mixtures of oil and water), improve the wetting and spreading of liquids, and reduce surface tension. Their non-ionic nature makes them compatible with a wide range of other chemicals and materials.