Surface Activity and Performance Properties of Gemini Salts of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate in Aqueous Solution

Gemini salts of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LABS) were prepared by neutralization of sulfonic acid with a series of low-molecular-weight diamines in aqueous solution. The equilibrium surface activity of Gemini salts of LABS was determined by measuring the surface tension as a function of surfactant concentration to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC (γ_CMC), and the area per molecule at the air-water interface (Ų). Electrical conductivity was measured as a function of surfactant concentration to determine the CMC and counterion binding. Dynamic surface tension was measured using a bubble pressure tensiometer to infer the rate at which the surfactant migrates to the air-water interface. Equilibrium interfacial tension against mineral oil was measured using a spinning drop tensiometer. Dynamic interfacial tension was measured using a drop volume tensiometer. The surface tension, CMC, and interfacial tension of Gemini salts of LABS decreased compared to monovalent organic and inorganic salts. The CMC decreases with increasing molecular weight of the diamine spacer group. Dynamic surface and interfacial tension of Gemini salts of LABS are lower than monovalent salts. The foam volume of Gemini salts of LABS was determined using a high shear blender test. The foam volume of Gemini salts of LABS is lower than monovalent salts and depends on the size of the spacer group. Hard-surface cleaning was measured using artificial soil applied to white Formica tiles. Soil removal was determined by optical reflectance as a function of abrasion cycles. Gemini salts of LABS show reduced hard-surface cleaning performance compared to monovalent salts. Detergency of different types of soils on cotton and polyester/cotton fabric was determined by optical reflectance measurements. Gemini salts of LABS show improved cleaning performance compared to monovalent salts. Cleaning performance increases with increasing molecular weight of the diamine spacer group. In situ neutralization of LABS with organic diamines is a simple and efficient way to prepare anionic Gemini surfactants for industrial scale applications.