Synthesis and solution properties of cationic gemini surfactants with long unsaturated tails

Gemini surfactants 22:1-s-22:1, where s = 2 and 6 methylene groups and 22:1 refer to erucyl dimethylammonium bromide chains, together with the monomeric surfactant erucyl bis-(hydroxyethyl) methylammonium bromide (EHAB) which has the same long unsaturated tails with gemini surfactants, were synthesized and characterized and solution properties of these surfactants were investigated using surface tension, conductivity and viscosity measurement. It has been found that the critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of 22:1-2-22:1 and 22:1-6-22:1 are 15.4 and 8.3 μM, respectively, less than the cmc value of EHAB (38 μM). On the other hand, the surface tension of 22:1-2-22:1 and 22:1-6-22:1 at cmc are 40.9 and 42.4, respectively, greater than the surface tension of EHAB (30.9 at cmc). Both 22:1-2-22:1 and 22:1-6-22:1 have nearly the same value of a0 (the minimum head group areas per surfactant molecule at the aqueous solution/air interface), which is almost the half value of a0 corresponding to EHAB. On the other hand, the ionization degree α of micelles of both 22:1-2-22:1 and 22:1-6-22:1 is approximately twice the value of α corresponding to micelles of EHAB. Though 22:1-2-22:1 has more similarity with 22:1-6-22:1 rather than EHAB as presented above, 22:1-2-22:1 in water cannot enhance the viscosity of the solution significantly in the presence of salt. In contrast, both 22:1-6-22:1 and EHAB in water can give rise to highly viscoelastic or gel-like solutions even at the high temperature in the presence of salt. In particular, 22:1-6-22:1 has proved to be a more efficient candidate for high temperature rheology-control applications than EHAB. The effect of salt upon the viscosity of 22:1-6-22:1 in aqueous solution is significant. The most proper ratio of 22:1-6-22:1/NaSal for enhancing the viscosity of solution has been proved to be 0.7.