Modeling of Equilibrium Adsorption and Surface Tension of Cationic Gemini Surfactants

A series of equilibrium tension models are used to evaluate the adsorption behavior of a novel class of lipoaminoacid gemini cationic surfactants, N^α,N^ω-bis(long-chain N^α-acylarginine)α,ω-dialkylamides or bis(Args). For purposes of comparison, the monomer LAM (the methyl ester of N^α-lauroyl arginine) was also examined. These surfactants are of particular interest for both their low toxicity and biocompatibility. The tension models are based on the Gibbs adsorption isotherm and classified as “ionic” when the surface charge and the electric double layer are accounted for or as “pseudo-nonionic” when the surface charge is ignored. Both model predictions and fitted parameter values are evaluated with respect to physical plausibility and overall goodness of fit to the available tension and density data. In particular, the inferred values for the standard Gibbs free energy of adsorption ΔG°, determined from an equilibrium constant defined on a nondimensional basis, without including artifacts due to an electrostatic contribution, are analyzed. The most reliable values of ΔG° are found with the combined model to range from −110 to −120 kJ mol⁻¹ for the three dimers examined and −80 kJ mol⁻¹ for the monomer. For spacer chain lengths n=3, 6, or 9, the maximum surface area of surfactant adsorption and the maximum free energy of adsorption are observed for the surfactant with the spacer chain length of 6.