Preparation and Performance of Catanionic Surfactants

Abstract

Abstract A series of catanionic surfactants based on the general formula CH3CH2(CH2)11CH2N+(CH3)3 · −OOCCH2(CH2)nCH2CH3 (n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) were synthesized, and measured their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and the corresponding surface tension at CMC (γCMC). The results revealed that the surface tensions of water were decreased to 21–34 mN · m−1 when applying these surfactants at a concentration range from 10−3 to 10−4 mol · L−1. Moreover, the performance of foaming, emulsification, anti-static and rewetting of the surfactants were investigated and the results showed that both the rewetting and emulsifying ability of the prepared surfactants were much better than that of conventional surfactants. In addition, the anti-static and foaming properties were also improved at the same condition compared to that of conventional surfactants.