Corrosion inhibition by N‐(alkyloxycarbonylmethyl)‐N‐triethanol ammonium chloride with respect to the surface and thermodynamic properties

N‐(octyloxycarbonylmethyl)‐ N‐triethanol ammonium chloride] (C₈ ), N ‐(dodecyl‐oxycarbonylmethyl)‐ N‐triethanol ammonium chloride] (C₁₂ ) and N ‐(hexadecyloxycarbonylmethyl)‐N ‐triethanol ammonium chloride] (C₁₆ ) were synthesized. Surface tension was measured in aqueous solution for different concentrations at 28, 38 and 48°C. Various surface properties of the synthesized surfactants were evaluated, particularly critical micelle concentration (CMC), efficiency (Π_CMC) as well as maximum surface excess (Γ_max) and minimum surface area (A_min). Micellization and adsorption in both liquid/air and liquid/solid interfaces thermodynamics were investigated. These products have pronounced surface activity and satisfactory corrosion inhibition of C‐steel in hydrochloric acid at 28, 38 and 48°C. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry