Interfacial Dynamic Properties and Dilational Rheology of Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant and its Mixtures with Quaternary Ammonium Bromides at the Air–Water Interface

Abstract

AbstractThe dynamic interfacial properties and dilational rheology of gemini sulfonate surfactant (SGS) and its mixtures with quaternary ammonium bromides (DTAB, CTAB) at the air–water interface were investigated using drop shape analysis. Results suggest that the adsorption process of these surfactants is diffusion‐controlled at dilute concentrations, whereas the adsorption mechanism gradually shifts to a mixed kinetic‐diffusion control with increasing surfactant concentration. The mixed surfactant system possesses the best surface activity when the molar ratios of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures are 9:10. The formation of catanionic complexes shields the electrostatic repulsion between surfactant molecules and lowers the electrostatic adsorption barrier. Therefore, SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures exhibit higher adsorption rates than either component alone. The effects of oscillating frequency and surfactant concentration on the surface dilational properties of SGS, DTAB, CTAB, SGS/DTAB, and SGS/CTAB mixtures were also determined. As the oscillating frequency increases, the dilational elasticity of these surfactants gradually increases. The dilational elasticity peaks at a certain concentration, which is less than the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Results show that the dilational elasticity of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures is higher than that of either component, resulting from the formation of a denser monomolecular adsorption layer at the air–water interface. Our study provides a basis for understanding the interaction mechanism of catanionic surfactant mixtures containing Gemini surfactant at the air–water interface.