Aggregation properties of cationic gemini surfactants with partially fluorinated spacers in aqueous solution

The aggregation properties of cationic gemini surfactants alkanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide), [C(12)H(25)(CH(3))(2)N(CH(2))(m)(CF(2))(n)(CH(2))(m))N(CH(3))(2)C(12)H(25)]Br(2) [where 2m + n = 12 and n = 0, 4, and 6; designated as 12-12-12, 12-12(C(4)(F))-12, and 12-12(C(6)(F))-12, respectively] have been studied by microcalorimetry, time-resolved fluorescence quenching, and electrical conductivity. Compared with a fully hydrocarbon spacer of 12-12-12, the fluorinated spacer with a lower ratio of CF(2) to CH(2) in 12-12(C(4)(F))-12 tends to disfavor the aggregation, leading to larger critical micelle concentration (cmc), lower micelle aggregation number (N), and less negative Gibbs free energy of micellization (DeltaG(mic)). However, the fluorinated spacer with a higher ratio of CF(2) to CH(2) in 12-12(C(6)(F))-12 may prompt the aggregation, resulting in lower cmc, higher N, and more negative DeltaG(mic). It is also noted that enthalpy change of micellization (DeltaH(mic)) for 12-12(C(4)(F))-12 is the most exothermic, but the values of DeltaH(mic) for 12-12-12 and 12-12(C(6)(F))-12 are almost the same. These results are rationalized in terms of competition among the enhanced hydrophobicity and the rigidity of the fluorinated spacer, and the variation of immiscibility of the fluorinated spacer with the hydrocarbon side chains.