Synthesis and Performance Analysis of New Anionic–Nonionic Gemini Surfactants

Abstract

Microwave-assisted method was used to synthesize successfully a series of new surfactants. Maleic anhydride, ethylenediamine, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (number of polymerization of ethylene oxide = 3, 5, 7, 9, 12) and sodium sulfite were used. The optimal reaction conditions for synthesizing five new surfactant products were obtained by response surface design. The chemical structure of five new surfactant products were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry, elementary analysis and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) analysis. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension, emulsifying power and foaming capacity in aqueous solution were studied. The microemulsion cutting fluid was also prepared by micro-emulsification of self-made new anionic–nonionic Genimi surfactant. The influence of the different structural unit of ethoxy (EO) and additives on the surface properties of five new prepared products was researched. CMC and γcmc of five new prepared products were in the scope of 3.39×10−4~3.48×10−4 mol/L and 21.9~23.4 mN/m respectively. Oxalamide polyoxyethylene(12) lauryl biether succinate sodium sulfonate was the optimum foamability and foam stability among five new prepared surfactants. Oxalamide polyoxyethylene( 3) lauryl biether succinate sodium sulfonate was the best emulsification power in the five new product. The cutting fluid prepared by self-made Gemini surfactant showed good performance. Experimental results show that it is expected to be a wide range applications in oil emulsification and other fields for new Gemini surfactants.