Surface Properties, Micellization, and Premicellar Aggregation of Gemini Surfactants with Rigid and Flexible Spacers

Abstract

Micellization and premicellar behavior of the two series of cationic surfactants, each with two hydrophilic and two hydrophobic groups in the molecule (“gemini” surfactants), one series with a rigid, hydrophobic spacer, and second with a flexible, hydrophilic one, have been studied by use of surface tension measurements. The data show the expected regular increase in surface activity with an increase in alkyl chain length for the shorter chain homologs but show increased deviation from the regularity with an increase in chain length when the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain exceeds a certain number. This deviation in surface activity appears to be due to the formation of small, non-surface active aggregates. Equilibrium constants calculated for the aggregation reaction show that the conditions facilitating micelle formation also favor formation of these premicelles, such as lower temperature, stronger ionic strength of the solution, and increased alkyl chain length. Geminis with a flexible, hydrophilic spacer appear to aggregate more readily than geminis with a rigid, hydrophobic spacer. Their shorter homologs are also more surface active than those having a rigid, hydrophobic spacer.