Influence of polymer on dynamic interfacial tensions of EOR surfactant solutions

The effects of different types of polymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM), on dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) of surfactant/model oil systems have been investigated by the spinning drop method in this article. Two anionic surfactants, 1,2‐dihexyl‐4‐propylbenzene sulfonate (366), 1,4‐dibutyl‐2‐nonylbenzene sulfonate (494) and an anionic–nonionic surfactant octyl‐[ω‐alkyloxy‐poly(oxyethylene)]yl‐benzene sulfonates (828) with high purity were selected as model surfactants. The influences of polymer concentration on IFT were expounded. It was found that the addition of polymer mostly results in increasing IFT because the interfacial molecular arrangement is modified owing to the interaction between polymer and surfactants. For HPAM, the polymer chains will enter the surfactant adsorption layer to form mixed‐adsorption layer. Therefore, HPAM shows strong effect on surfactant molecules with large size, such as 366. Conversely, surfactants can interact with the hydrophobic blocks of HMPAM and form mixed micelle‐like associations at interface. As a result, HMPAM shows more impact on IFT of 494 due to small steric hindrance for the formation of interfacial associations. This mechanism has been ensured by 828 molecules with two long alkyl chains. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40562.     

Effects of 1-n-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide on the properties of polypropylene

In this study, 1-n-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₁₄mim]Br), one kind of imidazolium ionic liquids (imi-IL), was incorporated into polypropylene (PP) via melting blend. The structure and properties of PP/[C₁₄mim]Br blend were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC results show that the [C₁₄mim]Br has effects on the melting and crystallization process so that PP and PP/[C₁₄mim]Br blends (weight ratio is 100/3) have different melting and crystallization temperature. Results of DMA show that the [C₁₄mim]Br has the effects on the plasticization and crystallization of PP, and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PP decreases around 11°C when 3 weight shares of [C₁₄mim]Br were incorporated into 100 weight shares of PP. Moreover, both tensile strength and impact strength of PP have been improved reasonably in this situation. TGA also shows the thermal stability of PP is not affected by the [C₁₄mim]Br, which was incorporated into it though its molecule is small. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Properties of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide with low molecular weight and interaction with surfactant in aqueous solution

Hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM), with a molecular weight of 10⁴ g/mol, was studied using a range of rheological methods and dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS measurements indicate that the association of the modified polymer begins at low concentration. The modified polymer with high substitution forms transient networks below the critical concentration, but the networks are disrupted by the micelles formed by the polymer itself, and the networks do not contribute to viscosity enhancement. The modified polymers exhibited surface activity, and so they may be regarded as nonionic polymeric surfactants rather than thickeners. On the other hand, HMPAM is shown to interact with the surfactant SDS while PAM is inert to SDS. In the hydrophobic domains, it undergoes a surfactant‐induced association process; in the hydrophobe‐surfactant transition regions, the surfactant binds to the polymer in a noncooperative way and forms a polymer–surfactant complex. Contracted polymer chains begin to extend because of electrostatic repulsion, which can overcome the association at surfactant domains. The conformation of HMPAM polymer chains could be controlled by adding a specific amount of surfactant. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4348–4360, 2006     

Equilibrium,thermodynamics and kinetics study on Au(III) extraction by gemini surfactant with different spacer length

The effect of spacer lengths of imidazolium gemini surfactant [C₁₄-n-C₁₄im]Br₂ (n = 2, 4, 6) on the equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics of Au(III) extraction from hydrochloric acid medium were investigated in this article. The thermodynamic parameters, including the changes in enthalpy (ΔH*), entropy (ΔS*) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG*) were determined. The values of ΔH* demonstrated that the extraction of Au(III) by [C₁₄-n-C₁₄im]Br₂ was endothermic at first and exothermic at last. The kinetics study found that extraction rate became faster when the spacer lengths were increased. Moreover, kinetics results demonstrated that the diffusion is the controlling step, and the mass transfer coefficients of Au(III) in the investigated systems indicated that the resistance of mass transfer was smaller when the spacer lengths was longer. The studies of interfacial tension further confirmed the better extractability of [C₁₄-n-C₁₄im]Br₂ with longer spacer lengths. Our results reveal efficient and sustainable gold separation.     

Aggregation Behavior of Imidazolium-Based Amino Acid Ionic Liquid Surfactants in Aqueous Solution: The Effect of Amino Acid Counterions

Three kinds of imidazolium-based amino acid ionic liquid surfactants (AAILS), 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium _L-aminopropionic acid salt ([C₁₄mim][Ala]), 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium _L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid salt ([C₁₄mim][Pro]), and 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium _L-aminohydrocinnamic acid salt ([C₁₄mim][Phe]), were synthesized by employing natural amino acids as counterions. Their adsorption and self-aggregation behaviors in aqueous solution were investigated systematically by means of surface tension and electrical conductivity measurements. Surface tension results indicate that surface properties and micellization behavior of AAILS are significantly affected by counterions. The micellization of [C₁₄mim][Pro] and [C₁₄mim][Phe] is entropy-driven at low temperatures but enthalpy-driven at high temperatures, whereas [C₁₄mim][Ala] is enthalpy-driven throughout the whole temperature range, owing to the variation in hydrophobicity and size of amino acid counterions. The surface activity of [C₁₄mim][Phe] is superior to that of conventional imidazolium-based ionic liquid surfactants with the same hydrocarbon chain length, 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C₁₄mimBr), indicating that the aromatic counterion can promote the micellar formation process.     

Self‐Aggregation of Catanionic Surface Active Ionic Liquids in Aqueous Solutions

The self‐aggregation behavior of catanionic surface active ionic liquids (SAIL), 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium alkyl sulfates, [C₄mim][C₁₆SO₄] and [C₆mim][C₁₄SO₄], in aqueous solutions was explored by several techniques. These results were analyzed together with the concerning data of [C₈mim][C₁₂SO₄] reported previously. The feature of these SAIL is that the total carbon number of the hydrophobic chains is kept constant, while only the length of the two hydrocarbon chains varies. Because of the different intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, the hydrophobic interaction of asymmetrical SAIL is enhanced, which explains the minimal CMC value of [C₄mim][C₁₆SO₄]. Thermal motion of hydrocarbon chains at the air–water interface leads to higher A_min and lower Γ_max values with the increasing asymmetry of two hydrophobic chains. The conductivity measurements reveal that the micellization process is spontaneous and entropy‐driven in the studied temperature range. This work indicates that the symmetry of alkyl chains can influence the aggregation behavior of [C_nmim][C_mSO₄] in aqueous solutions.     

A Comprehensive Study on the Synthesis and Micellization of Disymmetric Gemini Imidazolium Surfactants

Two groups of disymmetric Gemini imidazolium surfactants, [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ (m = 10, 12, 14) and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ (m + n = 24, m = 12, 14, 16, 18) surfactants, were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and ESI–MS spectroscopy. Their adsorption at the air/water interface, thermodynamic parameters and aggregation behavior were explored by means of surface tension, electrical conductivity and steady-state fluorescence. A series of surface activity parameters, including cmc, γ _cmc, π _cmc, pC ₂₀, cmc/C ₂₀, Γ _max and A _min, were obtained from surface tension measurements. The results revealed that the overall hydrophobic chain length (N _c) for [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and the disymmetry (m/n) for [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ had a significant effect on the surface activity. The cmc values decreased with an increase of N _c or m/n. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔG _m ^θ , ΔH _m ^θ , ΔS _m ^θ ) derived from the electrical conductivity indicated that the micellization process of [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ was entropy-driven at different temperatures, but the contribution of ΔH _m ^θ to ΔG _m ^θ was enhanced by increasing N _c or m/n. The micropolarity and micellar aggregation number (N _agg) were estimated by steady-state fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the surfactant with higher N _c or m/n can form larger micelles, due to a tighter micellar structure.     

Micellization behavior of ionic liquid surfactants with two hydrophobic tail chains in aqueous solution

The drop volume method was used to determine the surface tensions of two series of polymerizable ionic liquid surfactants, namely, 1‐acryloyloxypropyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium chloride [APC_nim][Cl] (n = 8, 10, 12) containing two hydrophobic tail chains and 1‐propionyloxypropyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium chloride [PPC_nim][Cl] (n = 8, 10, 12), which showed similar structures with [APC_nim][Cl] (n = 8, 10, 12) at 25°C. The surface properties of the surfactants were also compared. Furthermore, the thermodynamic behavior of [PPC_nim][Cl] (n = 10, 12, 14) micellization in aqueous solution and the enthalpy–entropy compensation phenomenon were studied. The two kinds of surfactants had high surface activity. Double bonds had almost no effect on the surface properties of [APC_nim][Cl]. The micellization of [PPC_nim][Cl] in aqueous solution was spontaneous and entropy‐driven. For the surfactant with specific structure, micellization ability initially increased and then decreased with temperature increase. The entropic contribution to Gibbs free energy change tended to decrease, whereas the enthalpic contribution increased. In addition, the enthalpy–entropy compensation phenomenon occurred during the micellization process. For all [PPC_nim][Cl], the compensation temperature was (314 ± 1) K, which remained unaffected by the surfactant molecular structure. However, when the hydrophobic carbon chain length increased, both micelle formation ability and stability increased. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis and evaluation of micellar properties and antimicrobial activities of imidazole‐based surfactants

The synthesis of two types of imidazole‐based surfactants, [(ROCOCH₂MIm)Br] and [(RNHCOCH₂MIm)Br], of varying chain lengths (C₁₀, C₁₂ and C₁₆), was conducted in the present work. The synthesis involves an initial reaction of bromoacetic acid with fatty alcohols or fatty amines, followed by quaternization with N‐methyl imidazole. The micellar properties of all the synthesized compounds were determined using surface tensiometry and compared with [(RMIm)Br], a well‐studied alkyl‐substituted imidazole‐based surfactant. Within the same homologous series, a decrease in critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed with increasing alkyl chain length in all three types of cationic surfactants. Introduction of an ester [(ROCOCH₂MIm)Br] or an amide group [(RNHCOCH₂MIm)Br] in the alkyl chain lowers the cmc when compared to a cationic surfactant without functional group, [(RMIm)Br]. The synthesized surfactants were also assayed for antimicrobial activities and found to possess good activities against selected strains.     

Ionic Liquid with Silyl Substituted Cation: Thermophysical and CO2/N2 Permeation Properties

Novel functionalized ionic liquid (IL) combining an imidazolium‐based cation with branched alkyl chain bearing silyl group, 1‐methyl‐3‐(2‐methyl‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)propyl)imidazolium ([Si?C₁?C₃‐mim]⁺), and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]^?) anion was synthesized and its thermophysical properties (density, viscosity, surface tension, surface entropy and enthalpy, thermal stability) were studied in a wide temperature range and compared with those of ILs having linear alkyl ([C_n‐mim][NTf₂]) and siloxane ([(SiOSi)C₁mim][NTf₂]) side chains. It was found that at 25 °C [Si?C₁?C₃‐mim][NTf₂] is a liquid with dynamic viscosity of 224 cP (224 mPa s) and density of 1.32 g cm^?3. The presence of side branched alkyl chain with trimethylsilyl end‐group prevents crystallization of IL and leads to higher viscosities and lower densities in comparison with commonly known [C_n‐mim][NTf₂] (n=2–4). As surface excess enthalpy was found to be in the lower end of the usual range of values for ILs, the interactions between silyl‐functionalized cation and [NTf₂] anion can be considered as relatively weak. Finally, [Si?C₁?C₃‐mim][NTf₂] was used for the preparation of polymer supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) and their CO₂ and N₂ permeation properties at 20 °C and 100 kPa were determined: permeability PCO₂=311, PN₂=12 Barrer, diffusivity DCO₂=115×10¹², DN₂=227×10¹² m² s^?1 and CO₂/N₂ permselectivity αCO₂/N₂=25.3.     

Catalytic oxidation of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene using imidazolium ionic liquid as catalyst

Peroxidation of alkylaromatics is the key step in the synthesis of phenols. Different imidazolium ionic liquids were investigated for the oxidation of cumene. The selectivity of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) increased with different ionic liquids in the order [C₄mim]Cl<[C₄mim]Br<[C₄mim]BF₄<[C₄mim]OH. This finding could be interpreted as being due to the partial decomposition of CHP by the acidic proton of the imidazolium cation. Thus [C₄mim]OH was chosen as the catalyst for the oxidation of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene to corresponding hydroperoxides and its derivatives. The catalytic performance of [C₄mim]OH was also better than that of the traditional catalyst NaOH. Furthermore, the effects of the operating variables were investigated and the mechanism was discussed.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new imidazolium‐based aromatic ether functionalized cationic mono and gemini surfactants

Synthesis of a novel series of imidazolium‐based surfactants, [(ROArCH₂MIm)Br] with aromatic ether functionalized hydrophobic tail of varying chain lengths and also their gemini counterparts were conducted in the present work. Synthesis involves initial conversion of 4‐hydroxy benzoic acid to its methyl ester followed by its O‐alkylation with long chain fatty alcohols, which was subsequently reduced and brominated to get 4‐alkyloxy benzyl bromide. For the synthesis of monocationic surfactant, 4‐alkyloxy benzyl bromide is quaternized with N‐methylimidazole. Gemini surfactants are synthesized by initial coupling of imidazole to 4‐alkyloxy benzyl bromide followed by its quaternization with dibromoalkane. The surface properties of all the synthesized surfactants were determined using surface tensiometry. Within the same homologous series, expected decrease in critical micelle concentration (cmc) with the increase in hydrophobicity was observed for shorter chain homologs. However, the deviation in cmc value from regularity was observed when the number of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic chain exceeded a certain number. The cmc values of the geminis were found to be remarkably low compared to their monomeric counterparts.     

Study of the interactions between hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in water by polymer solvent method

Summary The hydrophobic interactions between poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, and hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide, HMPAM, have been investigated by means of the polymer solvent viscometry method in dilute solutions. When HMPAM aqueous solution is used as a solvent, a divergence from linearity between the reduced viscosities of PNIPAM (as a solute) and C_PNIPAM is observed. While PNIPAM aqueous solution is used as a solvent, the linearity is better and the intrinsic viscosity of HMPAM is higher than that in 0.1 M NaCl. The magnitude of mutual interaction parameter K_AB suggests the presence of the hydrophobic interaction between HMPAM and PNIPAM, which is dependent on the hydrophobic groups content of HMPAM and temperature. Especially, as temperature increases from 25 to 30°C, the degree of hydrophobic interactions is enhanced, as is reflected in the Huggins coefficient K_H of HMPAM increase from 1.954 to 7.987.     

Synthesis,Surface and Antimicrobial Activities of Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactants

A series of novel cationic gemini surfactants [C_nH_2n+1–O–CH₂–CH(OH)–CH₂–N⁺(CH₃)₂–(CH₂)₂]₂·2Br^? [ 3a (n = 12), 3b (n = 14) and 3c (n = 16)] having a 2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐oxypropylene group [?CH₂–CH(OH)–CH₂–O–] in the hydrophobic chain have been synthesized and characterized. Their water solubility, surface activity, foaming properties, and antibacterial activity have been examined. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the novel cationic gemini surfactants are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than those of the corresponding monomeric surfactants. Furthermore, the novel cationic gemini surfactants have better water solubility and surface activity than the comparable [C_nH_2n+1–N⁺(CH₃)₂–(CH₂)₂]₂·2Br^? (n‐4‐n) geminis. The novel cationic gemini surfactants 3a and 3b also exhibit good foaming properties and show good antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Interaction Between Ionic Liquids and Gemini Surfactant: A Detailed Investigation into the Role of Ionic Liquids in Modifying Properties of Aqueous Gemini Surfactant

Tuning physicochemical properties of aqueous surfactant solutions comprised of normal or reverse micelles by external additives is of utmost importance due to the enormous application potential of surfactant‐based systems. Unusual and interesting properties of environmentally benign ionic liquids (IL) make them suitable candidates for this purpose. To understand and establish the role of IL in modifying properties of aqueous gemini surfactants, we studied the effect of the IL, 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([Hmim][Br]) and 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([Omim][Br]) on the properties of the aqueous cationic gemini surfactant 1,6‐hexanediyl‐α,ω‐bis(dimethyltetradecyl)ammonium bromide (14‐6‐14,2Br^?). The behavioral changes were investigated by measuring the critical micelle concentration (CMC) using electrical conductance, surface tension, dye solubilization and fluorescence probe measurements at 298.15 K. It was observed that the CMC of 14‐6‐14,2Br^? gemini surfactant decreases with addition of IL, thus favoring the micellization process. An increase in micellar size was observed at lower IL concentration using dynamic light scattering, with a decrease in aggregation number (N_agg) determined from fluorescence probe quenching measurements. It is noteworthy that the extent of modulation of the micellar properties is different for both the IL due to their structural differences. IL behave like electrolytes at lower concentrations and cosurfactants at higher concentrations and form mixed micelles with the cationic gemini surfactant showing an increase in N_agg.     

Effect of electrolyte on interfacial dilational properties of chemical flooding systems by relaxation measurements

In the present work, the influences of different types of electrolytes on interfacial dilational properties of anionic surfactant sodium 4,5-diheptyl-2-propylbenzene sulfonate 377 and asymmetrical anionic Gemini surfactant C₁₂COONa-p-C₉SO₃Na in the absence or presence of 1500 ppm partly hydrolyzed polyacrylamide were studied at decane–water interface, respectively, by means of interfacial tension relaxation measurements. The decay curves of interfacial tension were fitted by the summation of a number of exponential functions. The dilational elasticity (?_r) and dilational viscosity component (?_i) were calculated by Fourier transform and displayed as Cole–Cole plots (plotting ?_i or ?_i/?₀ as a function of ?_r or ?_r/?₀ respectively). The experimental results show that only single reorientation process dominates the interfacial properties in the presence of any electrolyte for 1 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ 377 solution, resulting form the more compacted film by electrostatic screening. On the other hand, the contribution of reorientation process at higher frequency decrease after the addition of NaCl and there exists no pure reorientation process in the presence of CaCl₂ or MgCl₂ for Gemini surfactant because of the slight increase of interfacial concentration due to larger molecular size and strong steric hindrance between alkyl chains. The addition of polymer can significantly modify the dilational properties of adsorbed surfactant layer due to the formation of mixed adsorption film through hydrophobic interaction between polymer chain and alkyl chain of surfactant molecule. The normalized Cole–Cole plots of surfactant-polymer films with different types of electrolytes show the similar characteristic in general and no pure reorientation process can be observed in any case.     

Extraction of scandium(III) using ionic liquids functionalized solvent impregnated resins

Ionic liquids (ILs) functionalized solvent impregnated resins (SIRs) were prepared using IL modified Merrified resin as the polymeric supports by impregnation of extractant for extraction of Sc(III). The ILs modified Merrifield resin were prepared via covalent anchoring of imidazolium salts onto Merrifield resin. The polymeric supports with imidazolium chloride group (RCl) and imidazolium hexafluorophosphate group (RPF₆) were characterized by FTIR, TGA, and elemental analysis. It was found that RCl and RPF₆ had tunable hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, different acid stability, and swelling behaviors in solvents. The effect of Cyanex 923 extractant or [C₈mim][PF₆] IL impregnated on RCl and RPF₆ were studied. The results showed Cyanex 923 and [C₈mim][PF₆] exhibited stronger affinity to RPF₆ than to RCl. RPF₆ with Cyanex 923 was found to be effective in Sc(III) extraction. The extraction mechanisms of SIRs containing RPF₆ and Cyanex 923 with or without [C₈mim][PF₆] were cation exchange and neutral complexation, respectively. [C₈mim][PF₆] acted as an extraction media and was involved in the cation exchanged extraction reaction. Sc(III) can be selectively separated from Tm(III), Yb(III), and Lu(III) by the SIRs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Novel fluorinated surfactants for enhanced oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs

Novel surfactant‐polymer (SP) formulations containing fluorinated amphoteric surfactant (surfactant‐A) and fluorinated anionic surfactant (surfactant‐B) with partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) were evaluated for enhanced oil recovery applications in carbonate reservoirs. Thermal stability, rheological properties, interfacial tension, and adsorption on the mineral surface were measured. The effects of the surfactant type, surfactant concentration, temperature, and salinity on the rheological properties of the SP systems were examined. Both surfactants were found to be thermally stable at a high temperature (90 °C). Surfactant‐B decreased the viscosity and the storage modulus of the HPAM. Surfactant‐A had no influence on the rheological properties of the HPAM. Surfactant‐A showed complete solubility and thermal stability in seawater at 90 °C. Only surfactant‐A was used in adsorption, interfacial tension, and core flooding experiments, since surfactant‐B was not completely soluble in seawater and therefore was limited to deionized water. A decrease in oil/water interfacial tension (IFT) of almost one order of magnitude was observed when adding surfactant‐A. However, betaine‐based co‐surfactant reduced the IFT to 10^?3 mN/m. An adsorption isotherm showed that the maximum adsorption of surfactant‐A was 1 mg per g of rock. Core flooding experiments showed 42 % additional oil recovery using 2.5 g/L (2500 ppm) HPAM and 0.001 g/g (0.1 mass%) amphoteric surfactant at 90 °C.     

Recovery of Furfural from Aqueous Solution by Ionic Liquid Based Liquid–Liquid Extraction

Abstract

Liquid–liquid extraction with imidazolium based ionic liquids ([C₄mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][PF₆], and [C₈mim][PF₆]) is proposed for the separation of furfural or 5-methylfurfural from aqueous solution. Factors affecting the extraction of furfural or 5-methylfurfural have been studied. It was shown that the extraction equilibria can be achieved within 30 min and the process was less affected by the factors such as volume ratio and feed concentration. The partition coefficients of furfural and 5-methylfurfural decreased with increasing temperature. [C₆mim][PF₆] was found to have the best extraction ability among the three ionic liquids studied. Presence of small amount of NaCl or Na₂SO₄ in the aqueous phase results in the considerable increase in the partition coefficients of furfural because of the competitive hydration of the salts with furfural. A thermodynamic study revealed that the extraction process was driven mainly by hydrophobic interactions. Further experimental results indicated that furfural can be separated selectively from aqueous furfural/acetic acid mixtures.     

Synthesis and Properties of Dissymmetric Gemini Surfactants

A series of novel dissymmetric gemini surfactants, [C _m H_2m+1COOC₂H₄(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₂C₂H₄OOCC _n H_2n+1]Br₂ was synthesized and symbolized as m-s–n. The Krafft temperatures and surface tension curves of the dissymmetric gemini surfactants were measured using an electrical conductivity method and a drop volume method. The low Krafft temperatures indicate very good solubility of these esterquat gemini surfactants. With the increasing numbers of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic alkyl chain, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the minimum surface area (A _min) decrease, and the efficiency of surface tension reduction (pc₂₀) increases. With the same numbers of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic alkyl chain, the dissymmetric gemini surfactant has a lower CMC and a smaller A _min than the corresponding symmetric gemini surfactant due to the enhanced hydrophobic interactions.