Nonionic surfactants are a class of surfactants that do not carry any charge on their hydrophilic part. They are composed of molecules with a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head, where the head is typically made up of polar groups such as alcohol, ether, or ester. Due to their neutral charge, nonionic surfactants are less sensitive to changes in pH and ionic strength, making them highly versatile in various applications.