Synthesis and Surface Properties of a Novel Sodium 3‐(3‐Alkyloxy‐3‐oxopropoxy)‐3‐oxopropane‐1‐sulfonate at the Air–Water Interface

The present paper describes the synthesis and evaluation of surface properties of a novel series of anionic surfactant, namely sodium 3‐(3‐alkyloxy‐3‐oxopropoxy)‐3‐oxopropane‐1‐sulfonate with varying alkyl chain length (C8–C16). Synthesis involves initial formation of the 3‐alkyloxy‐3‐oxopropyl acrylate along with fatty acrylate during the direct esterification of fatty alcohol with acrylic acid in the presence of 0.5 % NaHSO₄ at 110 °C followed by sulfonation of the terminal double bond of the 3‐alkyloxy‐3‐oxopropyl acrylate. Synthesized compounds were evaluated for surface and thermodynamic properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at CMC (γ_cmc), efficiency of surface adsorption (pC₂₀), surface excess (Γ_max), minimum area per molecule at the air–water interface (A_min), free energy of adsorption (?G°_ads), free energy of micellization (?G°_mic), wetting time, emulsifying properties, foaming power and calcium tolerance. Effect of chain length on CMC follows the classic trend, i.e. decrease in CMC with the increase in alkyl chain length. High pC₂₀ (>3) value indicates higher hydrophobic character of the surfactant. These surfactants showed very poor wetting time and calcium tolerance, but exhibited good emulsion stability and excellent foamability. Foaming power and foam stability of C14‐sulfonate were found to be the best among the studied compounds. Foam stability of C14‐sulfonate was also studied at different concentrations over time and excellent foam stability was obtained at a concentration of 0.075 %. Thus this novel class of surfactant may find applications as foam boosters in combination with other suitable surfactants.     

Synthesis and Surface Active Properties of tri[(N‐alkyl‐N‐ethyl‐N‐Sodium carboxymethyl)‐2‐Ammonium bromide ethylene] Amines

Trimeric betaine surfactants tri[(N‐alkyl‐N‐ethyl‐N‐sodium carboxymethyl)‐2‐ammonium bromide ethylene] amines were prepared with raw materials containing tris(2‐aminoethyl) amine, alkyloyl chloride, lithium aluminium hydride, sodium chloroacetate, and bromoethane by alkylation, Hoffman degradation reaction, carboxymethylation and quaternary amination reaction. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. With the increasing length of the carbon chain, the values of their critical micelle concentration initially decreased. Surface active properties of these compounds were superior to general carboxylate surfactants C₁₀H₂₁CHN⁺(CH₃)₂COONa. The minimum cross‐sectional area per surfactant molecule (A_min), standard Gibbs free energy adsorption (ΔG_ads) and standard Gibbs free energy micellization (ΔG_mic) are notably influenced by the chain length n, and the trimeric betaine surfactants have greater ability to adsorb at the air/water interface than form micelles in solution. The efficiency of adsorption at the water/air interface (pC₂₀) of these surfactants increased with the increasing length of the alkyl chain. Their foaming properties, wetting ability of a felt chip, and lime‐soap dispersing ability were also investigated.     

Synthesis and Surface Tension Study of the Spacer Chain Length Effect on the Adsorption and Micellization Properties of a New Kind of Carboxylate Gemini Surfactant

A series of carboxylate gemini surfactants, which contain two hydrocarbon chains linked by amide groups, two carboxylate groups, a flexible alkane spacer were synthesized by three-step reactions and named alkylidene–bis-(N,N′-dodecyl-carboxypropylamides) (2C₁₂H₂₅CnAm; n = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 is the number of methylene groups of the spacer), their structures were confirmed by FTIR,¹H NMR, and LC–MS/TOF, and their purity checked by HPLC. The micellar properties with increasing spacer chain length of these gemini surfactants were determined by surface tension methods. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) varies slightly with spacer chain length; surface tension at CMC(γ_CMC), the tendency of micellization versus adsorption, CMC/C₂₀, the minimum area per surfactant molecule at the air/solution interface (A_CMC), all decrease with increasing spacer chain length; surface reduction efficiency, pC₂₀, the surface excess at the air/solution interface (Г_CMC) increase with increasing spacer chain length. The results probably indicate that increasing spacer chain length of these carboxylate gemini surfactants will increase spacer incorporation into the double hydrophobic chain.     

Synergisms in Binary Mixtures of Anionic and pH‐Insensitive Zwitterionic Surfactants and Their Precipitation Behavior with Calcium Ions

This work aims to investigate synergy in anionic and zwitterionic surfactant mixtures, as they result in better interfacial properties and micellization behavior. Various mixtures of the pH‐insensitive zwitterionic surfactant 3‐(decyldimethylammonio) propanesulfonate (Zwittergent 3–10) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were prepared in aqueous solution at a range of pH values between 2 and 13. The thermodynamic parameters during mixed surfactant adsorption at the air/water interface are obtained and the results show the mixed surfactant systems having superior properties to the constituent surfactants. Experimentally, the mixed surfactant solutions clearly improve the surface activities by lowering the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and lowering the surface tension at the air/water interface. The synergisms are investigated through the interaction parameters estimated from regular solution theory that is used to quantitatively describe the nonideality of surfactant mixtures. High negative interaction parameters are obtained from these surfactant mixtures. Experimental precipitation phase boundaries of SDS in the presence of CaCl₂ were also investigated in mixtures containing pH‐insensitive zwitterionic surfactant at different pH levels from 2 to 13 and SDS mole fractions of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00. Changes in the precipitation phase boundaries are due to the changes in the speciation or activities of the major components both below and above the CMC. As a result, the precipitation phase boundaries are pH dependent. In addition, mixed micellization and counterion binding to the micelle also change the precipitation phase boundary above the CMC. The activity‐based solubility product of calcium dodecylsulfate is also determined from the precipitation phase boundaries below the CMC. X‐ray diffraction patterns and SEM images confirm that only calcium dodecylsulfate precipitates in the soap scum for all pH and surfactant compositions studied.     

New Schiff Base Cationic Surfactants: Surface and Thermodynamic Properties and Applicability in Bacterial Growth and Metal Corrosion Prevention

A new series of cationic Schiff bases was synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed using elemental analysis, infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance. The surface properties of the surfactant solutions including surface tension, effectiveness, efficiency, critical micelle concentration, maximum surface excess and minimum surface area were calculated using surface tension-log concentration profiles. The surface parameters were strongly dependent on the hydrophobic chain length. The thermodynamic properties of the surfactants in their solutions showed the spontaneous behavior of both adsorption and micellization processes. The thermodynamic data revealed that the adsorption of the surfactant molecules at the air/water interface was more favorable than the micellization in the bulk of their solutions. The synthesized surfactants were evaluated with regard to their preventing the corrosion reaction of carbon steel in acidic media and also their acting as antibacterial biocides to inhibit bacterial growth. The data of corrosion and antibacterial evaluations showed the high efficiency and applicability of these compounds in these uses.     

Synthesis and Properties of Dicephalic Cationic Surfactants Containing a Quaternary Ammonium and a Guanidine Group

Novel dicephalic surfactants containing a quaternary ammonium and a guanidine group were synthesized, and the effect of the alkyl chain length on micellization and antimicrobial activity were investigated. Surface tension and conductivity were applied to study the self-aggregation of the amphiphilic molecule in aqueous solution. The results indicated that these compounds reduce the surface tension to a level of 30–36 mN/m at the air/water interface and that there is a characteristic chain length dependence of the micellization process of surfactants. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, indicating strong antibacterial activity against tested strains.     

Adsorption and Aggregation Activity of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Rhamnolipid Mixture

Measurements of the surface tension, density and viscosity of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and rhamnolipid (RL) mixtures were carried out in aqueous solution. From the obtained results, composition of mixed surface layer at the water–air interface, mixed micelles, parameter of intermolecular interactions, activity of SDS and RL in the surface layer and micelles, Gibbs standard free energy of adsorption and micellization as well as Gibbs free energy of SDS and RL mixing in the surface layer and micelles were established. These parameters were discussed in the light of independent adsorption of SDS and RL and the size of their molecules as well as the area in contact with water molecules. A correlation between the number of water molecules in contact with those of SDS and RL and standard free energy of adsorption as well as micellization of these surfactants was observed. A correlation between the apparent and partial molar volumes of RL and SDS in their mixture and size of surfactant molecules as well as the average distance between molecules was also found. The parameter of intermolecular interactions indicates that there is a synergetic effect in the reduction of water surface tension and micelle formation.     

Synthesis and Surface Properties of Novel Gemini Imidazolium Surfactants

Five new Gemini imidazolium surfactants were synthesized from imidazole and 1-bromoalkane (C₈, C₁₀, C₁₂, C₁₄, C₁₆) to get 1-alkylimidazole, which was further reacted with 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol to form the surfactant molecule, 1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl-2-ol) bis(3-alkyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) chloride. The structures of the five new surfactants and intermediates were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and IR spectra. Thermal properties of the five new surfactants were studied with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, the five new surfactants showed a transition from a crystalline phase to a thermotropic liquid–crystalline phase at around ca. 100 °C, which transformed to an isotropic liquid phase at around ca. 165 °C. The five new surfactants critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in the aqueous solutions were determined by surface tension and electrical conductivity methods. The surface tension measurements provided a series of parameters, including critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC (γ _CMC), adsorption efficiency  (pC ₂₀), and effectiveness of surface tension reduction (π_CMC). In addition, with application of the Gibbs adsorption isotherm, maximum surface excess concentration (Γ_max) and minimum surface area/molecule (A_min) at the air–water interface were obtained. The parameters β (degree of counterion binding to micelles), ΔG _ads ^θ (Gibbs free energy of adsorption), and ΔG _mic ^θ (Gibbs free energy change of micellization) were also derived. The results indicated that the five new Gemini surfactants exhibited very low CMC and a good efficiency in lowering the surface tension of water. The foamability and foam stability of the five new surfactants were also examined at different CMC.     

Synthesis and Properties of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants Based on Alkylamine,Propylene Oxide,and 2‐Chloroethanol

New quaternary ammonium salts are synthesized by octylamine, nonylamine, dodecylamine, and hexadecylamine reacting with propylene oxide at a mole ratio of 1:2, followed by reaction with 2‐chloroethanol. By tensiometric measurements of aqueous solutions, their surface activity has been determined. Using the results of these measurements and electroconductometric studies, important parameters such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), efficiency of surfactant adsorption, surface pressure at the CMC, changes of Gibbs free energies for micelle formation, and adsorption were estimated. By application of the Gibbs adsorption isotherm, indices such as maximum surface excess concentration and minimum surface area/molecule at the air–water interface were also calculated. Petroleum‐collecting properties of these surfactants were investigated. Among these quaternary ammonium surfactants, the surfactant based on dodecylamine, propylene oxide, and 2‐chloroethanol exhibits the highest petroleum‐collecting capacity.     

Synthesis of Thumba,Castor and Sal Fatty Ethanolamide-Based Anionic Surfactants

The study involved the preparation and evaluation of anionic surfactants from non-edible oil based thumba (containing unsaturated-rich fatty acids, 80.9 %), castor (containing ricinoleic acid, a hydroxy fatty acid 89.3 %) and sal (containing saturated-rich fatty acids, 56.5 %). The oils extracted from these seeds (using Soxhlet) were reacted with monoethanolamine and diethanolamine to get corresponding fatty mono- and diethanolamides. The ethanolamides were sulfated using chlorosulfonic acid and the sulfated sodium salts were evaluated for surfactant properties namely surface tension, critical micelle concentration (CMC), emulsifying property, wetting, foaming power and calcium tolerance. The properties were compared with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) a well known anionic surfactant. Among the different sulfated sodium salts of ethanolamides, thumba showed superior surfactant properties compared to castor and sal. Sulfated sodium salt of thumba monoethanolamide showed better properties (CMC, 0.035 mmol/L, surface tension 30.2 mN/m and calcium tolerance >1,000 ml, 0.5 % calcium acetate solution) compared to sulfated sodium salts of thumba diethanolamides, followed by sulfated sodium salts of castor monoethanolamide (CMC 0.037 mmol/L, surface tension 35.3 mN/m and calcium tolerance >1,000 ml, 0.5 % calcium acetate solution). Sal being saturated rich was not properly soluble in water and showed poor surfactant properties compared to the other two. Also the sulfated sodium salts of thumba and castor ethanolamides exhibited superior properties compared to SDS.     

Undecanoic and 10-Undecenoic Acid-Based Amidobetaines and Amidoamine Oxides

Three types of undecanoic and 10-undecenoic acid-based surfactants were synthesized in the present work: amphoteric amidobetaines, cationic amidobetaine chlorides and nonionic amidoamine oxides. Structural characterizations of synthesized compounds were based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (¹H and ¹³C) and mass spectrometry. Surface properties, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at cmc (γ _cmc), efficiency of surface adsorption (pC20), surface excess (Γ_max) and minimum area per molecule (A _min) at the air–water interface, were determined by surface tension methods. Fluorescence probing techniques were also employed for the measurement of CMC, as well as steady state anisotropy (r) at the micellar core. The CMC of the studied surfactants follow the order: amidobetaine > amidobetaine chloride > amidoamine oxide. The influence of the terminal double bond in the hydrophobic alkyl chain on CMC was also assessed, and a significant increase in CMC was found due to the introduction of the double bond in the cases of amidobetaine chlorides and amidoamine oxides. These two types of surfactants showed higher rigidity at the micellar core compared to their corresponding unsaturated counterparts. However, such influence of unsaturation on the hydrophobic moiety was not observed in the case of amidobetaines. In all three types of surfactants, the saturated surfactant exhibited a lower γ _cmc and A _min, but higher Γ_max, r and pC20 compared to its unsaturated counterpart.     

Adsorption Behavior of Trimethylolpropane-Dehydroabietic Acid Ester at the Air–water Interface

A novel amphipathic trimethylolpropane-dehydroabietic acid ester was successfully prepared with acyl chloride method. Various analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed to evaluate the chemical structure of the ester. The surface properties of the ester were investigated by surface tension and resonance light-scattering techniques. The surfactant molecules are adsorbed at the water–air interface in different adsorption states, i.e., state 1 and 2. The dynamic adsorption behavior was studied by combining experimental results and a reorientation model. The molar fraction of solvent decreased, while the molar fraction of surfactant molecules increased with increasing ester concentration at the surface layer. The adsorption value of state 1 presented a unimodal shape and the adsorption value of state 2 presented an s-shape with the increase in surface pressure. The free energy of adsorption is ?36.06 kJ mol^?1, more negative than the free energy of micellization (?29.69 kJ mol^?1), it is actually easier for surfactant molecules to adsorb on the air–water interface.     

Micellization of Carboxylic Acid Gemini Surfactant and Its Interaction with Amino Acid Surfactant in Aqueous Solution

The carboxylic acid-type Gemini surfactant (CGS12) was synthesized, and its micellization in aqueous solution at different pH values at 25.0 °C was investigated. The results show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CGS12 at different pH values is only 10⁻⁶ order of magnitude, and the pH has little effect on the CMC. Moreover, the interaction of CGS12 with amino acid surfactant of sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate (SLS) at 25.0 °C and pH 7.0 was investigated using surface tension, dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and Ross–Miles foam measurements. The CGS12/SLS mixture shows a low CMC, and as a whole the CMC value becomes smaller with increasing molar fraction of CGS12 (X_CGS12). Under different X_CGS12, the mixtures form soluble aggregates with different hydration radii (R_h). Moreover, the mixture aggregates are mainly in the form of vesicles. The foaming height of CGS12 is worse than that of SLS, but the CGS12/SLS mixture has good foaming stability. This work reveals that the surfactant mixture has good surface activity and good foam stability.     

Gemini Cationic Surfactants: Synthesis and Influence of Chemical Structure on the Surface Activity

Three cationic gemini surfactants were synthesized and characterized using different methods. Their surface activities were measured using surface and interfacial tension measurements. The effect of the spacer chain length on the surface activity, emulsification power and interfacial tension was studied. The thermodynamic parameters showed the tendency towards micellization and adsorption. The results showed that longer spacers increased the micellization tendencies of the surfactants, while shorter spacers increased the adsorption tendency at the air–water interface.     

The Effects of Amide Bonds and Aromatic Rings on the Surface Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Cationic Surfactants

The cationic surfactants containing aromatic rings and amide bonds, N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinylcarbamoylmethyl ammonium chloride ( a ), N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-2-thiazolylcarbamoylmethyl ammonium chloride ( b ), and N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-phenylcarbamoylmethyl ammonium chloride ( c ), were synthesized and characterized. The surface tension and conductivity values were employed to investigate the absorption and micellization behavior of the three cationic surfactants. The results showed that the synthesized surfactants have shown a low critical micelle concentration (CMC) and a high adsorption efficiency (pC₂₀) compared with the traditional cationic surfactant of N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-N-benzyl ammonium chloride ( BAC-12 ). The aromatic rings of the a , b , and c molecular structures were analyzed using the ¹H NMR spectra for electrostatic repulsion effects between hydrophilic headgroups. The size distribution of the micelles was derived using dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. In addition, the foaming ability of a , b , c , and BAC-12 was investigated and the antimicrobial activity of a , b , c , and BAC-12 against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis was examined. The effects of amide bonds and aromatic rings on the surface properties and antimicrobial activity of a , b , and c were analyzed and compared with BAC-12 of the same alkyl chain length. The synthesized surfactants exhibited a high surface ability and better antibacterial activity compared with BAC-12 .     

Gemini Surfactants Foam Formation Ability and Foam Stability Depends on Spacer Length

A series of cationic gemini surfactants containing different spacer length were synthesized and analyzed structurally. It was shown that the surface tension (σ) and critical micelle concentration (CMC), which had a maximum for the n-C₄H₈ spacer depended on the spacer length. The foaming ability and foam stability are high for the gemini surfactants with short spacers (C₂H₄ to n-C₄H₈), while longer spacers lead to a distinct decrease of these foam parameters. Foaming properties are discussed in terms of configuration and conformation of a surfactant molecule and in relation to micellization state kinetic.     

Micellization Studies of Dicationic Gemini Surfactants (m-2-m Type) in the Presence of Various Counter- and Co-Ions

Salts have the ability to influence the water activity and self-association of ionic micelles. In the present case, gemini surfactants; ethanediyl-α,ω-bis(dimethyl alkyl ammonium bromide) (referred to as m-2-m, m = 10, 12, 14) are synthesized and their micellization study in aqueous medium in presence of monovalent inorganic (NaBr, NaNO₃, NaCl, KCl, LiCl) and organic salts (NaTos, NaBenz, NaSal) at 303 K is systematically investigated by conductometric and tensiometric methods. All the salts have the tendency to lower the critical micelle concentration of the surfactants. The effect of inorganic salts on the micellization properties has been found to obey the Hofmeister series. Organic salts reduce the CMC more effectively as compared to inorganic salts. The theoretical models of Rubingh and Rosen have been used to compare the results and obtain the interaction parameters, minimum area per molecule, surface excess, mixed micelle composition, activity coefficients and free energies of micellization/adsorption.     

Effects of Head Groups on the Aggregation Behavior of Lauryl Monoglucoside Sulfosuccinates in Aqueous Solution

Lauryl monoglucoside sulfosuccinates (LG-SS) with four different numbers of hydrophilic groups were synthesized by two steps. The surface activity of these surfactants was determined by surface tension measurements. The aggregation behaviors of these surfactants in aqueous solutions were also studied. The results suggested that the micellization process of these surfactants in aqueous solution is spontaneous. The micellar morphology of LG-SS is spherical. Some parameters such as surface tension, the adsorption efficiency, efficiency of forming micelles, aggregation number, and micelle size increase with the number of hydrophilic groups. However, these parameters decrease when the number of hydrophilic groups and the number of hydrophilic base charges are increased.     

Micellization and Interfacial Interaction Behaviors of Gemini Cationic Surfactants–CTAB Mixed Surfactant Systems

The interfacial and micellization behaviors of binary mixtures of two gemini cationic surfactants and conventional the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant were studied at various molar ratios. From the equilibrium surface tension measurements, the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) data were obtained as functions of the composition. Values of the CMC were analyzed according to the regular solution model developed by Rubingh for mixed micelles. Two interaction parameters were obtained for each system, the interaction at the interface, and in the micellar phase. The results showed that micellization and adsorption properties of the studied mixed systems depend on the spacer chain lengths of the gemini surfactants and their ratio in the mixed systems.     

Micellar Properties for Propoxylated Surfactants in Water/Alcohol Solvent Mixtures and Their Antibacterial and Polyester Fabric Antistatic Performances

Two propoxylated quaternary amine surfactants characterized by two and six average PO adduct numbers (PO-2 and PO-6 QA surfactants) were synthesized to investigate the micellar properties of propoxylated cationic surfactants in water/alcohol mixtures. The effect of PPO groups on micelle formation was explored using conductivity, UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering techniques. Regular or reverse micellization occur with water or alcohol rich solvent mixtures, respectively. For intermediate composition no micellization occurs. Also the performances in antibacterial and antistatic fabrics were studied. PO-2 QA surfactant has excellent antibacterial activities against both the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus while both surfactants have good antistatic activity over polyester fabric.