Solution behaviour of an ester-functionalized gemini surfactant, ethane-1,2-diyl bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylammoniumacetoxy) dichloride in the presence of inorganic and organic salts

•Sodium anthranilate was found to be much effctive in inducing growth in 12-E2-12 surfactant.•Overall order of salts against micellization of 12-E2-12 surfactant was observed as NaAn > NaTos > Na3PO4 > Na2SO4 > NaCl.•Results in future could be singnificant for industrial applications.

Herein, we have investigated the effect of inorganic and organic salts (NaCl, Na2SO4, Na3PO4, NaAn and NaTos) on the solution behaviour of a gemini surfactant, ethane-1,2-diyl bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylammoniumacetoxy) dichloride (12-E2-12), employing surface tensiometry, fluorescence, 1H NMR, TEM, UV–vis, and FT-IR. The surface tension measurements showed that all micellization characteristics were refined in the presence of salts with the order being NaAn > NaTos > Na3PO4 > Na2SO4 > NaCl. Whereas fluorescence measurements were used to estimate the aggregation number (Nagg) of the micelles. 1H NMR, TEM, UV–vis, and FT-IR results revealed morphological transition and newer phase formation. This study in future could be useful for compilation of surfactant–salt mixtures for industrial applications.

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