Surface properties, aggregation behavior and micellization thermodynamics of a class of gemini surfactants with ethyl ammonium headgroups

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2012-07, Vol.377 (1), p.222-230
• Main Authors: Lu, Ting, Lan, Yuru, Liu, Chenjiang, Huang, Jianbin, Wang, Yilin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Agglomeration; Air; Carbon; Cationic; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Enhanced aggregation capability; Ethyl ammonium headgroups; Exact sciences and technology; Full understanding; Gemini surfactants; General and physical chemistry; Membranes; Micelles; Micelles. Thin films; Molecular Structure; Particle Size; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - chemistry; Spacers; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Surfactants; Thermodynamic properties; Thermodynamics; Vesicles; Water - chemistry
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.03.044

[Display omitted] ► A systematic series of gemini surfactants have been synthesized. ► Surface, aggregation and thermodynamic properties are reported. ► The variation of headgroup structure affects the properties of these gemini surfactants. ► Hydrophobic effects are emphasized for a surfactant with multi-polar headgroups. Cationic gemini surfactant homologues alkanediyl-α,ω-bis(dodecyldiethylammonium bromide), [C12H25(CH3CH2)2N(CH2)SN(CH2CH3)2C12H25]Br2 (where S=2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20), referred to as C12CSC12(Et) were synthesized systematically. This paper focused on various properties of the above gemini surfactants in order to give a full understanding of this series of surfactants. The following points are covered: (1) surface properties, which include (i) effect of the spacer carbon number on the general properties and (ii) the effect of added NaBr on the general surface properties; (2) aggregation behavior in bulk solution, including (i) morphologies of above gemini surfactants classed as having short spacers, middle-length spacers and long spacers and (ii) superior vesicle stability against high NaBr concentration for the long spacer gemini surfactants; (3) thermodynamic properties during micellization and the effect of spacer carbon number on them; and (4) perspectives for the further use and application of these compounds.