Surfactant adsorption at the salt/water interface: comparing the conformation and interfacial water structure for selected surfactants

We report in situ spectroscopic measurements monitoring the adsorption of a series of carboxylate surfactants onto the surface of the semisoluble, ionic solid fluorite (CaF2). We employ the surface-specific technique, vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS), to examine the effect that surfactant adsorption has on the bonding interactions and orientation of interfacial water molecules through the alteration of the electric properties in the interfacial region. In addition, we report on the chain length and headgroup dependence of the formation of hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers on the surface of the solid phase. Differences in chain length and headgroup functionality lead to large changes in the adsorption behavior and structuring of the monolayers formed and the interactions of interfacial water molecules with these monolayers. Fundamental studies such as these are essential for understanding the mechanisms involved in the surfactant adsorption process, information that is important for industrially relevant processes such as mineral ore flotation, waste processing, and petroleum recovery.