Cationic ester-containing gemini surfactants: determination of aggregation numbers by time-resolved fluorescence quenching

The micellar aggregation number of a series of ester-containing gemini surfactants has been determined with steady state and with time-resolved fluorescence quenching. The latter method gave values of aggregation number about twice those obtained with the former method. It was found that the length of the spacer was the most important factor affecting the aggregation number. The length and the nature of the surfactant alkyl chains were of less importance in spite of the fact that the length of the alkyl chains strongly affects the solution properties of the unimers.