Synthesis and Properties of Novel Alkyl Sulfonate Gemini Surfactants

Abstract

AbstractA series of novel dialkyl disulfonate gemini surfactants (2Cn‐SCT where n is the carbon number of the hydrophobic chain) were synthesized from cyanuric chloride, aliphatic amine and taurine. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR spectra, and ESI–MS. Their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in the aqueous solutions at 25 °C were determined by surface tension and electrical conductivity methods. With the increasing length of the carbon chain, the values of their CMC initially decreased, and then increased with an alkyl chain length of 14. The surface tension measurements of 2Cn‐SCT (except for n = 14) determined that there is a low CMC, a great efficiency in lowering the surface tension, and a strong adsorption at the air–water interface. In addition, adsorption and micellization behavior of 2Cn‐SCT were estimated from pC20, the minimum average area per surfactant molecule (Amin), and standard free energy micellization and adsorption (). These properties are significantly influenced by the chain length n, and the adsorption is promoted more than the micellization.