Synthesis and surface activity of poly(maleic diester) surfactants

Abstract

A series of maleic diester monomers have been prepared by esterification of maleic anhydride with a series of n-alkanols and poly(ethylene glycol) with different molecular weights. These monomers were polymerized in acetic anhydride solution in the presence of cumene hydroperoxide as initiator. The synthesized polymers have been characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and their surface and thermodynamic properties as non-ionic surfactants is investigated. The surface tension as a function of concentration of the surfactant in aqueous solutions was measured at 298, 308, 318 and 328 K. The surface parameters are calculated. The data reveal that the CMC value of the polymeric surfactant is lower than that of the monomeric surfactant. It is also found that the CMC value decreases with increasing temperature and the number of ethylene oxide units in the surfactant molecule. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization and adsorption are also determined. The structural effectiveness of surface tension is discussed in terms of these parameters. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry