Synthesis and aggregation behavior of a hexameric quaternary ammonium surfactant

A star-shaped hexameric quaternary ammonium surfactant (PAHB), bearing six hydrophobic chains and six charged hydrophilic headgroups connected by an amide-type spacer group, was synthesized. The self-assembly behavior of the surfactant in aqueous solution was studied by surface tension, electrical conductivity, isothermal titration microcalorimetry, dynamic light scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and NMR techniques. The results reveal that there are two critical aggregate concentrations during the process of aggregation, namely C(1) and C(2). The aggregate transitions are proved to be caused by the changes of the surfactant configuration through hydrophobic interaction among the hydrocarbon chains. Below C(1), PAHB may present a star-shaped molecular configuration due to intramolecular electrostatic repulsion among the charged headgroups, and large aggregates with network-like structure are observed. Between C(1) and C(2), the hydrophobic interaction among the hydrophobic chains may become stronger to make the hydrophobic chains of the PAHB molecules curve back and pack more closely, and then the network-like aggregates transfer to large spherical aggregates of ～100 nm. Beyond C(2), the hydrophobic interaction may become strong enough to cause the PAHB molecular configuration to turn into a pyramid-like shape, resulting in the transition of the spherical large aggregates to spherical micelles of ～10 nm. Interestingly, the PAHB displays high emulsification ability to linear fatty alkyls even at very low concentration.     

Amphiphilic pyrimidinophane,a new dimeric surfactant: Synthesis,aggregation, and catalytic activity

Abstract Tensiometry, conductometry, dynamic light scattering, and potentiometry are used to study the aggregation of a new amphiphilic alkylated pyrimidinophane (APP) in aqueous solutions in the presence of polyethylen-imine. The new geminal surfactant is shown to possess high micellization ability (CMC = 0.00001 M) due to the presence of an additional alkyl radical in the pyrimidine fragment. APP aggregates are characterized by a low degree of counterion binding (lower than 50%). Spectrophotometry is employed to investigate the catalytic activities of individual surfactant solutions and solutions of APP—polyethylenimine binary mixtures with respect to the hydrolysis of phosphonic acid esters. The effect of APP on phosphonate hydrolysis is typical of cationic surfactants. The higher acceleration is observed for the hydrolysis of a more hydrophobic phophonate.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new silicone-based polyurethane surfactant

ω-N,N-Dihydroxyethyl aminopropylpolymethylhydrosiloxane (DAPS) a monotelechelic polydimethylsiloxane with a diol-end group, which is used to prepare polyurethane surfactant, was successfully synthesized. The preparation included four steps, which are hydroxyl protection, alkylation, hydrosilylation, and deprotection. Then, a novel silicone-based polyurethane surfactant was prepared by the addition polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate to DAPS, polypropylene glycol, and methanol and was used in the preparation of polystyrene by emulsion polymerization. The DAPS was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The results showed that each step was successfully carried out and the targeted products were synthesized in all cases.     

Electric-field-driven surface aggregation of a model zwitterionic surfactant

Electrochemical measurements, atomic force microscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy have been combined to describe the electric-field-controlled surface aggregation of N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (DDAPS), a model zwitterionic surfactant, at a Au(111) electrode surface. At concentrations below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the monomer adsorbs and aggregates at the surface. The charge on the metal (sigmaM) controls the orientation of adsorbed molecules and consequently the film structure. At high negative (sigmaM < -5 microC cm-2) charge densities, a spongy, disordered film is formed in which the polar heads are turned toward the solution. At high positive (sigmaM > +5 microC cm-2) charge densities, a planar film with "blisters" is observed with the polar heads of DDAPS turned to the metal. Hemicylindrical aggregates are observed in the intermediate charge density range (-5 < sigmaM < +5 microC cm-2). At bulk concentrations higher than the CMC, micelles adsorb and the structure of these films is controlled by the fusion of the adsorbed micelles. STM and AFM images provided direct visualization of this field-driven surface aggregation of the zwitterionic surfactant.     

Synthesis and aggregation behaviour of amphiphilic block copolymers with random middle block

The effect of microstructure on the aggregation behaviour of symmetrical di- and triblock copolymers P(BMA)-b-P(MAA) and P(BMA)-b-P(BMA-co-MAA)-b-P(MAA) with a molecular weight of 40,000 g/mol was studied. The critical micelle concentration, hydrodynamic radius and morphology of the micelles were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning force microscopy (SFM). Whereas no effect of the microstructure on the critical micelle concentration could be detected, the hydrodynamic radius decreased from di- to triblock copolymer from 53 to 36 nm. The decrease of about 32% corresponds to the length of the random middle block within the triblock copolymer so that the reduction in hydrodynamic radius was caused by a complete orientation of the random middle block at the core corona interface. Finally, the SFM investigation showed that dehydration of micelles on a substrate is accompanied by formation of a physisorbed monolayer with a thickness of 2 nm on which the micelles are deposited.     

Synthesis and properties of new polymeric surfactant with quaternary ammonium salt

The polymeric surfactant with quaternary ammonium salt (PQ) was synthesized by cationic ring-open polymerization using boron trifluoride diethyletherate as cationic catalyst. The chemical structure and aggregation behavior of PQ were studied by ¹H NMR, surface tension, static light scattering, dynamic laser light scattering, electrical conductivity, and fluorescence measurement. The results show the surface tension (γ_cmc) and critical micelle concentration (cmc) of PQ decrease with increasing of sodium chloride concentration. The cmc and γ_cmc values of PQ measured by electrical conductivity and fluorescence measurements mainly identify with that obtained by surface tension measurements. The thermodynamic parameters (DG_m⁰ \Delta G_m^0 ,DH_m⁰ \Delta H_m^0 ,DS_m⁰ \Delta S_m^0 ) from electrical conductivity indicated that the micellization of PQ was mainly the process of entropy-driven. In addition, the results from the viscosity stability between hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and PQ showed that the viscosities of mixed system for HPAM and PQ are higher than the viscosity of HPAM.     

Phase and aggregation behaviour of alkylglycosides

Alkylmonoglucopyranosides are the main compounds of technical alkylpoyglucosides. New contributions to crystallisation and thermotropic properties, phase and aggregation behaviour are presented because of their central interest for understanding the technical products. Synchrotron and neutron scattering give a detailed insight into the micelle formation of pure compounds and to the sphere–rod transition as a function of added long chain alcohols. The phase behaviour of the surfactant systems and microemulsions is heavily influenced by traces of ionic surfactants.     

Clouding behaviour in surfactant systems

A study on the phenomenon of clouding and the applications of cloud point technology has been thoroughly discussed. The phase behaviour of clouding and various methods adopted for the determination of cloud point of various surfactant systems have been elucidated. The systems containing anionic, cationic, nonionic surfactants as well as microemulsions have been reviewed with respect to their clouding phenomena and the effects of structural variation in the surfactant systems have been incorporated. Additives of various natures control the clouding of surfactants. Electrolytes, nonelectrolytes, organic substances as well as ionic surfactants, when present in the surfactant solutions, play a major role in the clouding phenomena. The review includes the morphological study of clouds and their applications in the extraction of trace inorganic, organic materials as well as pesticides and protein substrates from different sources.     

Temperature dependence of aggregation and dynamic surface tension in a photoresponsive surfactant system

The response of a nonionic photoresponsive surfactant system to changes in temperature is reported. This surfactant contains the light-sensitive azobenzene group, and when exposed to light, a solution of this surfactant contains a mixture of the cis and trans photoisomers of this group. The temperature of the surfactant solution has a strong impact on the time needed for the surfactant to diffuse and adsorb to a freshly formed interface. At surfactant concentrations that give rise to trans aggregates but not to cis aggregates, the transport of cis and of trans isomers to the surface of a pendant bubble have quite different temperature dependencies, owing largely to the difference in their aggregation states in bulk solution. Diffusion and adsorption of the cis isomer are described reasonably well by a simple diffusion model that accounts for the effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficient. The trans isomer, which was primarily bound in aggregates during these measurements, exhibits a stronger dependence of this adsorption time scale on the temperature of the solution. This temperature dependence of trans diffusion and adsorption is quantitatively consistent between samples containing only the trans isomer and samples containing a mixture of isomers. Fluorescence studies were done to determine the effect of temperature on the cmc of the surfactant. The critical concentration associated with the formation of cis-dominant aggregates increases modestly with increasing temperature. The cmc of the trans isomer also increases with increasing temperature, most significantly when the temperature exceeds about 35 degrees C. These trans cmc temperature-dependence data were incorporated into diffusion models that account for the potential roles of aggregates in the adsorption process. The observed temperature dependency of the trans adsorption time scale is consistent with a model that includes the effect of temperature on both the diffusivity and the supply of monomer via its effect on the cmc. Specifically, the results suggest that the dissolution of trans-dominant aggregates is important to the trans adsorption process. Further fluorescence studies were performed in which surfactant solutions containing aggregates were diluted rapidly, and the rate of dissolution of these aggregates was inferred from fluorescence decay. Aggregate breakup in colder trans samples is slower than in warmer samples, but these dissolution time scales are significantly shorter than those associated with the adsorption process. This is consistent with the assumption that aggregation kinetics do not contribute to the observed adsorption kinetics.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of new poly(azomethine-ether)

A new poly(azomethine-ether) was synthesized by the reaction of bisphenol A with a thermotropic azomethine monomer, namely 4,4′-oxy-bis(4-chlorobenzylideneimino phenylene). In order to understand the influence of the molecular weight on the thermal properties, four fractions were isolated from the initial polymer. They were investigated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, ¹H NMR) and their thermal behaviour was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, thermogravimetrical analysis. An increase of the thermal transition temperatures and mesophase order with increasing molecular weight was noticed.     

表面活性剂在溶液中聚集形态的动力学模拟

用耗散颗粒动力学模拟方法(DPD)展示了表面活性剂分子在溶液中的聚集形态，用扩散程度表征了表面活性剂溶液中的自组装情况。结果发现：这种分子动力学模拟方法能够直观地得到表面活性剂的聚集形态；随着表面活性剂的浓度增加，聚集形态依次从球状胶束、棒状或虫状胶束，六角状相，向层状相变化。     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel double-tailed cationic surfactant

A novel double-tailed cationic surfactant, N,N′-didodecylacetamidinium bicarbonate, was prepared by reacting dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal with dodecylamine, followed by reacting with dry ice. MSD, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D-NMR were used to confirm its structure. The surfactant reduced the surface tension of pure water to 24.7 mN m⁻¹ and its critical micelle concentration was 8.75 × 10⁻⁵ M. Formation of vesicle was also observed.     

Synthesis, characterization and aggregation behaviour of novel peripherally tetra-substituted octacationic water soluble metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

In this study, a new phthalonitrile derivative 3 bearing 1,3-bis[3(dimethylamino)phenoxy]propan-2-ol 1, metal-free phthalocyanine (Pc) 4, metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) 5–7 and their quaternized derivatives 4a–7a were synthesized. Metal-free Pc 4 was prepared by cyclotetramerization of phthalonitrile derivate 3 and MPcs 5–7 were synthesized by heating 3 with NiCl₂, CoCl₂ and CuCl₂ in n-pentanol in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, respectively. Quaternization of the dimethylamino functionality produced quaternized octacationic water soluble metal-free, Ni, Co and Cu Pcs which were soluble in water, DMF, DMSO. The aggregation behaviour of these compounds were investigated in different concentrations of chloroform for metal-free, Ni, Co and Cu Pcs. The effect of solvents on absorption spectra were studied in various organic solvents. The novel compounds were characterized using IR, ¹H-, ¹³C NMR, UV–vis and MS spectral data.     

Synthesis of a new sulfobetaine surfactant with double long alkyl chains and its performances in surfactant-polymer flooding

A new zwitterionic surfactant with double long alkyl chains, 3-((3-((1,3-bis (decyloxyl) propane-2-yl) oxy) -2-hydroxypropyl) dimethylamonio) -2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (diC₁₀GE-HSB), was synthesized, and its performances in Surfactant-Polymer (SP) flooding were studied. As a hydrophobic surfactant diC₁₀GE-HSB solely cannot reduce Daqing crude oil/connate water IFT to ultralow, but ultralow IFT can be achieved by using binary mixtures of diC₁₀GE-HSB with various conventional hydrophilic surfactants such as α–olefin sulfonates, dodecyl polyoxyethylene (10) ether, and cetyl dimethyl hydroxypropyl sulfobetaine, over a wide total concentration range (0.625?～?10?mM) at reservoir temperature. This new sulfobetaine surfactant is therefore a good candidate for SP flooding free of alkali.     

General synthesis and aggregation behaviour of new single-chain bolaphospholipids: variations in chain and headgroup structures

The chemical structures of polymethylene-1,omega-bis(phosphocholines) that self-assemble into nanofibres was modified on the one hand in the hydrophobic chain region, by introduction of sulfur and oxygen atoms, and on the other hand by variation of the polar headgroup structure with functionalised tertiary amines. The temperature-dependent self-assembly of these novel bolaphospholipids into nanofibres and spherical micelles was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stabilities of the nanofibres strongly depend on the chemical compositions of the headgroups and of the hydrophobic chains. The insertion of new functionalities in the headgroup region by click chemistry makes these substances interesting for potential applications in bioscience and materials science.     

The behaviour of drag-reducing cationic surfactant solutions

The behaviour of two types of drag reducing surfactant solutions was studied in turbulent flows in pipes of different diameters. Our surfactant systems contained rod-like micelles; they consisted of equimolar mixtures ofn-tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide,n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and sodium salicylate. The structure of the turbulence was studied using a laser-Doppler anemometer in a 50 mm pipe. In the turbulent flow regime both surfactant solutions exhibited characteristic flow regimes. These flow regimes can be influenced by changing the amount of excess salt, the surfactant concentration, or the temperature. Shear viscosity measurements in laminar pipe and Couette flows show the occurrence of the so-called shear-induced state, where the viscosity increases and the surfactant solution becomes viscoelastic. The shape of the turbulent velocity profile depends on the flow regime. In the turbulent flow regime at low Reynolds numbers, velocity profiles similar to those observed for dilute polymer solutions are found, whereas at maximum drag reduction conditions more S-shaped profiles that show deviations from a logarithmic profile occur. An attempt is made to explain the drag reduction by rod-like micelles by combining the results of the rheological and the turbulence structure measurements.     

光-碱双重可降解阳离子表面活性剂的合成与性能

以香草醛、溴代十二烷、硝酸等为原料,通过O-烷基化、硝化、还原、酯化、成盐五步反应,合成了一种含邻硝基苄酯的可光-碱双重降解的吡啶盐阳离子表面活性剂.中间体与目标产物都进行了1H NMR结构表征;所得阳离子表面活性剂的临界胶束浓度(CMC)值约为0.3 mol·L-1.以该表面活性剂为乳化剂,进行苯乙烯乳液聚合可以得到稳定的乳液,表明该表面活性剂具有良好的乳化性能.将乳液进行紫外光照2h,可明显观察到乳液破乳并变色.经光降解测试证实该表面活性剂可在光作用下降解;发泡测试表明该表面活性剂具备一定的发泡性能;pH降解测试表明表面活性剂可在pH为7～9下实现碱降解.     

新型腰果酚双子表面活性剂的合成及表面活性

以天然生物质腰果酚、1,3-二溴丙烷及氯磺酸为原料,通过醚化、磺化及中和三步反应合成了一类新型的腰果酚基磺酸盐双子(Gemini)表面活性剂.采用傅立叶转换红外光谱仪和核磁共振谱仪表征了产物的结构;采用滴体积法测定了腰果酚Gemini表面活性剂的表面张力,研究了水溶液的表面性质,并与相应的单基腰果酚基磺酸盐表面活性剂进行了对比.结果表明:腰果酚Gemini表面活性剂水溶液的临界胶束浓度(cmc)为6.20×10-2 mmol.L-1,远小于相应的单基腰果酚表面活性剂水溶液的cmc(8.40mmol.L-1);其临界表面张力γcmc为36.92mN.m-1,与单基腰果酚表面活性剂水溶液的相近(γcmc为38.41mN.m-1).与此同时,腰果酚Gemini表面活性剂水溶液的最小分子截面积Amin为0.27nm2,比相应的单基表面活性剂水溶液的小得多.     

Lyotropic and interfacial behaviour of an anionic gemini surfactant

The sodium salt of N,N'-hexane-bis (1-dodecen-1-ylsuccinamic acid) is an anionic dimeric (gemini) surfactant. A flooding penetration scan of this surfactant in water demonstrates a sequence of lyotropic phases at room temperature (20 degrees C). Preparation of surfactant-water mixtures has resulted in a phase diagram which shows that the same sequence of phases exists up to 100 degrees C. These phases are tentatively assigned to the sequence: micellar to normal hexagonal (H1) to cubic (V1) to lamellar (Lalpha). The interfacial tension at the n-heptane/water interface has been determined in the presence of this surfactant. The surfactant head group area at the interface is large (2.8+/-0.3 nm2 at 298 K) and the interfacial tension above the critical micelle concentration is low (7 mN m(-1)), but considerably higher than the ultra-low values that have been reported for cationic dimeric surfactants at various hydrocarbon-water interfaces.