Phosphate ester surfactants are a collective term for surfactants with hydrophilic groups such as phosphate ester groups or phosphate ester salts in their molecules. They are a class of surfactants with excellent performance and wide application. Phosphate esters have different structures and properties, and their application ranges have different focuses. It is often used to prepare penetrating agents, antistatic agents, flame retardants, defoamers, fatliquors, emulsifiers, etc. The main varieties include alkyl (aryl) phosphates, fatty alcohols (alkylphenols), polyoxyethylene ether phosphates, alkyl alcohol amide phosphates, imidazoline phosphates, polymer phosphates, and siloxane phosphates. Phosphate ester surfactants can be divided into two types based on their ionic properties: anionic and amphoteric. Anionic phosphate esters have excellent wettability, detergency, solubilization, emulsifying dispersibility, thermal stability, good compatibility with other surfactants, good antistatic and flame retardancy to fibers and fabrics, low irritation, and better alkali resistance, electrolyte resistance, and low toxicity than general anionic surfactants. Amphoteric phosphate surfactants have the advantages of good biodegradability, short environmental pollution cycle, and low degree of pollution.