CO2/N2-switchable viscoelastic fluids based on a pseudogemini surfactant system

We prepared a CO₂/N₂-switchable pseudogemini surfactant system composed of sodium oleate (NaOA) and N, N, N’, N’-tetramethyl-1, 6-hexanediamine (TMHDA) at a mole ratio of 2:1. The two tertiary amine groups of the TMHDA can be protonated into quaternary ammonium salt when the system was bubbled with CO₂, which can ‘‘bridge’’ two NaOA molecules via electrostatic attraction to form a pseudogemini surfactant. The formed pseudogemini surfactant can further self-assemble to wormlike micelles, causing a sharp increase in viscosity. The viscoelastic property and structure transitions of the pseudogemini surfactant system were investigated before and after bubbling of CO₂. The pseudogemini surfactant system transformed from water-like to gel-like fluid with the bubbling of CO₂, followed by white precipitate. The cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) characterization and rheological measurements exhibited that the sol–gel transition was attributed to a spherical-wormlike micelle transition. Moreover, this transition was switchable at least in three cycles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism of aggregate behavior transition was proposed from the viewpoint of the molecular states, micelle structures, and intermolecular interactions.     

ZnO nanoparticles and poly(acrylic) acid-based polymer gel electrolyte for photo electrochemical cell

This work presents a photo electrochemical cell based on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) doped with sodium iodide (NaI) and iodine (I₂) polymer gel electrolyte. The ZnO powders were synthesized by sol–gel storage and sol–gel centrifugation. The ZnO powder synthesized via sol–gel centrifugation showed the optimal structural properties, with largest crystallite sizes of 58 nm, average particles size between 20 and 80 nm and indirect band gap energy of 3.20 eV. The highest conductivity [(8.0 ± 0.1) × 10^?2 S cm^?1] was obtained for PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂. This sample achieved the lowest activation energy (0.029 eV) and electrochemical stability at 1.6 V. The ZnO powder synthesized via sol–gel centrifugation and PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂ was fabricated as a Cu–ZnO/PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂/C-ITO photo electrochemical cell.     

The CO2 stimulus-responsive spherical-worm-like micelles transition based on anionic surfactant sodium oleate and N,N, N′, N′, N″-pentamethyldipropylenetriamine

Here, we report a CO₂ stimulus-responsive system with anionic surfactant sodium oleate (NaOA) and N, N, N′, N′, N″-Pentamethyldipropylenetriamine (PMDPTA). The microstructure transition from spherical micelles to worm-like micelles was confirmed by rheology measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cyro-TEM). There were three types of CO_2?responsive groups in PMDPTA. However, because of PMDPTA ionization degrees, just one responsive group of PMDPTA could be ionized by CO₂ to work with OA^?, resulting in structure transformation from spherical micelles to worm-like micelles. Besides, this system could be switchable between low-viscosity fluid and high viscoelastic by CO₂/N₂.     

Carbamate Formation and Amine Protonation Constants in 2-Amino-1-Butanol–CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System and Their Temperature Dependences

The apparent protonation constant of an amino butanol (AB) and its carbamate formation constant in the CO₂–H₂O–AB system were determined at T = 298.15–328.15 K, and at various ionic strengths up to 0.2 mol·L^?1 by potentiometric titration. The Debye–Hückel equation was used to extrapolate the protonation constants to zero ionic strength. The variation of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant for carbamate formation with temperature was modeled according to the relationship of log₁₀ K₁ = 280.91/T ? 0.1105, while the temperature dependency of the amine protonation constant was correlated by log₁₀ K₂ = 1926.53/T + 2.9482. Van’t Hoff type plots of the pK values showed linear relationships indicating that the standard enthalpy changes of reaction are constant over this range of temperatures. Hence, our current findings are crucial for designing efficient unit operations involving separation of CO₂ from natural or flue gases.     

Micellar Aggregation Behavior and Electrochemically Reversible Solubilization of a Redox-Active Nonionic Surfactant

For the purpose of studying the potential of a novel nonionic switchable surfactant, 11-ferrocenylundecyl polyoxyethylene ether (FPEG), applied to surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER), the surface properties and micelle solubilization behavior of FPEG were investigated with different inorganic salts. With the addition of inorganic salts (NaCl and CaCl₂), the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of FPEG dropped from 15 to 12 and 8 mg·L^?1, respectively, due to the salting-out effect on the alkyl chain. Thermodynamic parameters based on the CMCs indicated that micelle formation was an entropy-driven process. Dynamic light scattering measurements verified that these inorganic salts can decrease the hydrodynamic diameters (D _h) of the micelles. Solubilization experiments with three typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) demonstrated that the system of FPEG with NaCl shows the highest solubilization ability, and the molar solubilization ratio and micelle–water partition coefficient (K _m ) values follow the order pyrene > phenanthrene > acenaphthene. After oxidation, PAHs can be released from the micelles through breaking up of the micelles, and the cumulative release efficiency of pyrene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene are 31.2, 42.8 and 44.6 %; the order of release efficiency is opposite to that of the reduced form for solubilization abilities. All the results suggest that the ferrocene-containing, redox-active surfactant FPEG has the potential to be recycled in SER technology through electrochemistry approaches.     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Piperazine-Based Bicaudate Gemini Surfactant

A novel bicaudate gemini surfactant was synthesized with anhydrous piperazine, chloride- bian, and 1-bromo dodecane as raw materials. Its structure was verified by infrared and ¹H NMR. The surface active properties of the bicaudate gemini surfactant in water were measured at 55°C. Its critical micelle concentration (cmc) and γ cmc was 0.50 mmol · L^?1 and 28.95 mN · m^?1, respectively. Results indicate that there was not a remarkable difference in γ_cmc values between the synthesized bicaudate surfactant and conventional gemini surfactant N,N′–bis (dodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide)-3-oxa-1,5-pentadiammonium. The sterilizing antimicrobial performance of the bicaudate gemini surfactant was examined. The bicaudate gemini surfactant show excellent inhibition against 18 types of bacteria compared with conventional monomeric surfactant and gemini surfactant at concentrations of 50 mg/L.     

CO2-Responsive wormlike micelles based on sodium oleate and hydrophobic tertiary amines

We reported two simple and novel CO₂-responsive surfactant wormlike micellar systems consisting of commercial anionic surfactant sodium oleate (NaOA) and common hydrophobic tertiary amine N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA). The conductivity, pH, and rheological measurements demonstrated the CO₂-sensitive flowing behavior and property, which were attributed to the spherical-wormlike micelles transition, verified by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) measurements. Moreover, the transition can be easily cycled more than three times without deterioration of viscosity. Combined with the species distribution curve and ¹H NMR spectra, a mechanism of the intermolecular electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effects was proposed.     

Micelle-Catalyzed Interaction Between [Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]+ and Ninhydrin

The effect of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) on the observed pseudo-first-order rate constant for the interaction of nickel dipeptide complex [Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]⁺ with ninhydrin has been studied spectrophotometrically. At constant temperature and pH, increase in the [CTAB] from 0.0 to 60.0 × 10^?3 mol dm^?3 caused nearly three-fold increase of the rate constant. The micellar catalysis is explained in terms of the pseudophase model. From the observed kinetic data, binding constants of micelle–[Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]⁺ (K _S), and micelle–ninhydrin (K _N) are evaluated, respectively, to be 5.3 mol^?1 dm³ and 84.0 mol^?1 dm³. The role of added inorganic (NaCl, NaBr, Na₂SO₄) and organic salts (NaBenz, NaSal) on the reaction rate has also been examined.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the redox reaction between malachite green and iron(III) in aqueous and micellar media

The kinetics of the oxidation of malachite green (MG⁺) by Fe(III) were investigated spectrophotometrically by monitoring the absorbance change at 618 nm in aqueous and micellar media at a temperature range 20–40 °C; I = 0.10 mol dm^?3 for [H⁺] range (2.50–15.00) × 10^?4 mol dm^?3. The rate of reaction increases with increasing [H⁺]. The reaction was carried out under pseudo-first-order conditions by taking the [Fe(III)] (>10-fold) the [MG⁺]. A mechanism of the reaction between malachite green and Fe(III) is proposed, and the rate equation derived from the mechanism was consistent with the experimental rate law as follows: Rate = (k ₄ + K ₁ k ₅[H⁺]) [MG⁺][Fe(III)]. The effect of surfactants, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, a cationic surfactant) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS, an anionic surfactant), on the reaction rate has been studied. CTAB has no effect on the rate of reaction while SDS inhibits it. Also, the effect of ligands on the reaction rate has been investigated. It is proposed that electron transfer proceeds through an outer-sphere mechanism. The enthalpy and the entropy of the activation were calculated using the transition state theory equation.     

CO2 responsive wormlike micelles based on sodium oleate,potassium chloride and N,N-dimethylethanolamine

The anionic surfactant sodium oleate (NaOA) can self-assemble in aqueous solution in the presence of counter-ion inorganic salts to form wormlike micelles (WLMs), which exhibited viscoelastic behavior. In this paper, KCl was used to induce the formation of wormlike micelles with sodium oleate. In this process, we found that the addition of N, N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) can destroy the structure of WLMs leading significant decrease of viscosity. However, after introducing CO₂ into the ternary solution (KCl-NaOA-DMEA), the WLMs can be regenerated due to the electrostatic interaction between the protonated DMEA and the anionic surfactants. The addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) causes the electrostatic interaction between OA^- and DMEAH⁺ be destroyed, which results in the wormlike micelles becoming spherical micelles of lower viscosity. The transition of WLMs with high viscosity and low viscosity spherical micelles can be repeated several times by using CO₂ and NaOH.     

Some Thermodynamic Properties of Aqueous 2-Mercaptopyridine-N-Oxide (Pyrithione) Solutions

The thermodynamic properties of 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (pyrithione, PT) were studied potentiometrically in NaCl aqueous solutions at different ionic strengths and temperatures. A set of protonation constants is provided, together with distribution (water/2-methyl-1-propanol) and solubility data. The total and the specific solubility (solubility of neutral species) values of pyrithione were determined and, for example, are 0.0561 and 0.0518 mol·dm^?3 at c _NaCl = 0.244 mol·dm^?3 and T = 298.15 K. By fitting the distribution and solubility results against the ionic strength, the Setschenow coefficient and the activity coefficients of the neutral species were determined. In pure water, the specific solubility is log₁₀ \( S_{m 0}^{0} = \, {-} 1. 20 \, \pm \, 0.0 4 \) . To determine the activity coefficient of the charged species and the protonation constant at infinite dilution, the data were analyzed by different models, namely the Debye–Hückel type equation, the SIT (Specific ion Interaction Theory) and the Pitzer approach. The interaction coefficient of the deprotonated pyrithione species was determined [ε(Na⁺, PT^?) = ?0.105 ± 0.002]. The protonation enthalpy was also determined, is slightly positive, and the protonation process is entropic in nature. At infinite dilution and T = 298.15 K, log₁₀ K ^H0 = 4.620 ± 0.002, ΔG ⁰ = –26.4 ± 0.1 kJ·mol^?1, ΔH ⁰ = 2.1 ± 0.5 kJ·mol^?1 and TΔS ⁰ = 28.5 ± 0.5 kJ·mol^?1. The electrochemical behavior of pyrithione was studied in NaCl solutions at T = 298.15 K. It was found that voltammetry can be used to study the binding ability of pyrithione towards metal cations. The results of this work are in agreement with literature findings and improve the knowledge of the chemistry of pyrithione in aqueous solutions.     

Octadecylamine cobalt(III) dimethyl glyoximato complexes: synthesis,thermodynamics of micellization,steady-state photolysis and biological activities

A new class of surfactant–cobalt(III) complexes of the type trans-[Co(DH)₂(OA)X], where DH = dimethylglyoxime, OA = octadecylamine, X = Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, N₃ ^?, NO₂ ^?, SCN^? or OA, were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of these surfactant–cobalt(III) complexes in ethanol solution were obtained by measuring absorption at ~250 nm. Specific conductivity data (at 303–313 K) served for the evaluation of the temperature-dependent CMC and the thermodynamics of micellization (ΔG _m ⁰ , ΔH _m ⁰ and ΔS _m ⁰ ). Steady-state photolysis and cyclic voltammetry of the complexes were studied. The surfactant–cobalt(III) complexes were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against various microorganisms.     

Study of Partitioning and Solubilization of Some New Chalcones Between Aqueous and Micellar Phases

The partitioning behavior of four newly synthesized chalcones between aqueous and micellar phases of ionic surfactants (SDS and CTAB) was investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The simple absorption spectra were recorded to study the interaction between these drugs and surfactants (in the concentration range below critical micelle concentration to above critical micelle concentration). The absorption data is also used to determine the number of additive molecules incorporated per micelle of the surfactant. The partition coefficient (K_x) of additives between bulk water phase and the micellar phase was determined in the range of 5.52 × 10⁺⁴ to 5.06 × 10⁺⁵ at 298 K by differential spectroscopic method. The corresponding standard free energy of partition ΔG°_p obtained was in the range of ?27.05 kJmol^?1 to ?32.54 kJmol^?1. The relative solubility of additives between aqueous and micellar phases in different micellar concentrations was also estimated. The results showed that the chalcones are preferably soluble in cationic surfactant micelles.     

On the origin of the different activation energies for hydrogen additions at the C and O centres of RCO+ ions (R = H,CH3): A theoretical interpretation

The different activation energies for hydrogen addition at the carbon and oxygen positions of HCO⁺ and CH₃CO⁺ are explained using frontier orbital arguments.The reactions are considered as “nucleophilic” attack of the hydrogen atom. Addition at the carbon centres yields H₂CO⁺· and CH₃CHO⁺·, respectively, and is favoured in comparison to addition all the oxygen (which would result in the formation of RCOH⁺·) because of the larger LUMO coefficient at the carbon centre. This explanation is in agreement with the calculated and experimentally derived activation energies.That the SOMO(H)-LUMG(RCO⁺) interaction is indeed the dominant one is demonstrated by the transformation matrix between the MOs of the educt and transition state.     

The Micellization and Clouding Phenomena of a Nonionic Surfactant,Poly(ethylene glycol) t-octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100): Effect of (Chloride Salt) Electrolytes

Herein, we report the micellization and the clouding of a nonionic surfactant, poly(ethylene glycol) t-octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100), in aqueous solutions in the absence and presence of (chloride salt) electrolytes. In the absence and presence of electrolytes, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of Triton X-100 was measured by surface tension measurements. Upon increasing the temperature as well as the concentration of electrolytes, the CMCs decreased. The surface properties and the thermodynamic parameters of the micellar systems were evaluated. From these evaluated thermodynamic parameters, it was found that in the presence of an electrolyte, the stability of the micellar system is high. The cloud points (CPs) of Triton X-100 were also measured in the absence and presence of metallic ions of electrolytes. Upon the addition of metallic ions of chloride salts (electrolytes), the decrease in CP values was observed and the order was found to be: K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺ > NH⁺₄.     

Electron impact mass spectra of some salts of carboxylic acids with alkali (group Ia) metals

Thirteen of the salts of the alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) with acetic, 2,2-dimethylpropionic, trifluoroacetic and heptafluorobutyric acid have been found to be sufficiently volatile to give mass spectra under normal electron impact conditions. The metal containing ions observed include (M=metal): [M]⁺, [MO]⁺, [MCO₂]⁺, [M₂]^+·, [M₂O]^+·, [M₂CO₂]^+· and the cluster ions [M_n (carboxylate)_n-1]⁺ for n = 2–8.     

A Study on Diflunisal: Solubility,Acid Constants and Complex Formation with Calcium(II) and Magnesium(II)

The properties of diflunisal, a widely used analgesic, were studied in physiologic solutions, 0.15 mol·dm^?3 NaCl. Solubility and protonation constants were determined and its behavior as ligand towards Ca(II) and Mg(II) was investigated. Solubility and protonation constants of diflunisal at 25 °C and 0.15 mol·dm^?3 were obtained from electromotive force measurements of galvanic cells using coulometric titrations. The experimental data yielded the solubility, s, of –log₁₀ s = 3.86 ± 0.02 and the protonation constants log₁₀ K ₁ = 11.98 ± 0.10 and log₁₀ K ₂ = 3.86 ± 0.03. Equilibria between diflunisal and Ca(II) and Mg(II) were investigated by means of electromotive force measurements and by comparing solubilities of diflunisal in the presence and absence of Ca(II) or Mg(II), respectively. Experimental data were explained by assuming the formation of 1:1 complexes for Ca(II) and Mg(II) along with evaluating the relative stability constants.     

Potentiometric and Theoretical Studies of (2Z, 3Z)-2H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine-2,3(4H)-dionedioxime with Some Divalent Transition Metal Ions

The protonation equilibria of (2Z, 3Z)-2H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine-2,3(4H)-dionedioxime (BTDH₂) together with the equilibria of its bis- binary complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were investigated potentiometrically. The investigation was carried out at 25 ± 0.1 °C, in aqueous solution, with a constant ionic strength of 0.100 mol·dm^?3 NaCl. The protonation constants of the ligand together with the stability constants of a variety of complexes were determined potentiometrically in 10 % ethanol–water mixed solution using the SUPERQUAD computer program. Theoretical calculations were set up to assist in understanding the protonation sequence in the ligand molecule via the semi-empirical molecule orbital method of parameterized model number 3. Results are discussed in connection to the basicity of the donor atoms and structural arrangement of the ligand. Although BTDH₂ has two dissociable protons, four protonation constants can be measured under the experimental conditions presented. These four protonation constants (as log₁₀ βs) are 10.245, 19.397, 22.414 and 25.176.     

Preparation of CO2‐switchable latexes using N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]‐methacrylamide (DMAPMAm)

CO₂‐switchable polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) latexes were prepared via surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization (SFEP) under a CO₂ atmosphere, employing N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMAPMAm) as a CO₂‐switchable, water‐soluble, and hydrolytically stable comonomer. The conversion of the SFEP of styrene reaches >95% in less than 5 h. The resulting latexes have near monodisperse particles (PDI ≤ 0.05), as confirmed by DLS and TEM. The latexes could be destabilized by bubbling nitrogen (N₂) and heating at 65 °C for 30 min, and easily redispersed by only bubbling CO₂ for a short time without using sonication. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1059–1066     

A Conventional Surfactant Becomes CO2‐Responsive in the Presence of Switchable Water Additives

We have developed a new benign means of reversibly breaking emulsions and latexes by using “switchable water”, an aqueous solution of switchable ionic strength. The conventional surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is not normally stimuli‐responsive when CO₂ is used as the stimulus but becomes CO₂‐responsive or “switchable” in the presence of a switchable water additive. In particular, changes in the air/water surface tension and oil/water interfacial tension can be triggered by addition and removal of CO₂. A switchable water additive, N,N‐dimethylethanolamine (DMEA), was found to be an effective and efficient additive for the reversible reduction of interfacial tension and can lower the tension of the dodecane/water interface in the presence of SDS surfactant to ultra‐low values at very low additive concentrations. Switchable water was successfully used to reversibly break an emulsion containing SDS as surfactant, and dodecane as organic liquid. Also, the addition of CO₂ and switchable water can result in aggregation of polystyrene (PS) latexes; the later removal of CO₂ neutralizes the DMEA and decreases the ionic strength allowing for the aggregated PS latex to be redispersed and recovered in its original state.