Surface and micelle properties of novel multi-dentate surfactants

Novel multi-dentate surfactants, based on alkyl amines of varying hydrophobicity were synthesized, and molecular structures were characterized by IR, UV–vis, NMR and FAB-MS. The new surfactants have good water solubility and are highly efficient at reducing aqueous surface tension. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies were carried out with aqueous solutions in D2O to study aggregation. Spherical micelles were shown to form, and these grow with increasing alkyl chain length; their conformation is unusual compared to conventional linear chain surfactants.

Graphical abstractSpherical micelles are shown to form in aqueous solutions of new multi-dentate amine surfactants. The micelle size depends on surfactant chain length. However, compared to conventional linear chain, single headed surfactants, the micelle structures appear to be subtly different, in that there is no evidence for strong headgroup hydration.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide