Study of interactions of the cationic 12–2–12 Gemini surfactant with saccharides in aqueous solution: volumetric, compressibility and viscometric analysis

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, the interaction behaviour of 12–2–12 Gemini surfactant in aqueous saccharide solutions (lactose and maltodextrin solutions) is investigated using density, sound velocity and viscosity measurements. The density and sound velocity data were used to determine the volume and compressibility parameters. The effects of temperature and concentration/strength of the solutions on the interaction behaviour were analysed by conductivity studies over a wide temperature (293.15–313.15) K and concentration range of the saccharides as well as of the surfactant. It was found that predominantly hydrophobic interactions together with ionic/hydrophilic interactions between 12–2–12 Gemini surfactant and the saccharides maltodextrin and lactose play a role. In addition, the structural changes in the 12–2–12 Gemini solutions induced by lactose and maltodextrin were investigated by viscosity measurements. The results confirm the observations from the volume and compressibility studies. The study of the different hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions in the Gemini surfactant-sacharide-water mixtures are very helpful to understand the structural behaviour of Gemini surfactants in the view of their biological significance.