Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactants Based on Piperazine: Synthesis, Surface Activity, and Foam Ability

Abstract

A series of novel Gemini surfactants Cn-pi-Cn with piperazine moiety as spacer was synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectra. Their surface activities were evaluated by surface tension, electrical conductivity, and steady-state fluorescence. The obtained results indicated that the synthesized Gemini surfactants exhibited lower critical micelle concentration (cmc) and surface tension (γcmc) compared with traditional surfactants. The steady-state fluorescence measurement and electrical conductivity were recorded to demonstrate the accuracy of cmc values. In addition, the micellization was evaluated using conductivity measurement in the temperature range of 298–308 K. The foamability and foam stability of these Gemini surfactants were also examined. In which, the Gemini surfactant with the shortest chain (C12) showed the best foamability but the poorest foam stability. Hydrophile–lipophile balance and emulsifying ability were studied and a comparatively poor emulsifying ability displayed.