Used as a bifunctional quaternary ammonium compound serving as a surfactant and biocide in water treatment systems due to its antimicrobial properties. Commonly applied in industrial disinfection processes, it helps control microbial growth in cooling towers and wastewater systems.

Also utilized in the synthesis of functionalized ionic liquids and as a reagent in organic chemistry for phase-transfer catalysis. Its long alkyl chain, terminal bromide group, and bromide counterion enhance solubility and reactivity in both aqueous and organic media, making it effective in surface modification and antimicrobial coating applications.

Additionally, employed as a starting material for synthesizing cationic surfactants, particularly in nanoparticle management such as coating quantum dots or metal particles to improve stability in solvents. In biomaterials research, it facilitates the creation of vesicles or microcapsules for controlled substance release and non-viral gene delivery systems due to the ammonium group's interaction with nucleic acids. It also functions as a linker for immobilizing enzymes or proteins on surfaces in biosensors and detection devices, leveraging its versatile reactivity with various functional groups.