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A reverse degradation vs. temperature relationship for a carbonate-containing gemini surfactant
Vinay Chauhan1, Krister Holmberg1, Romain Bordes1
1Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|July 22, 2018
Summary
This study synthesized a novel nonionic gemini surfactant with a hydrolyzable carbonate bond. Unexpectedly, its alkaline hydrolysis rate decreased as temperature increased, a finding linked to polyoxyethylene chain solubility.
Area of Science:
- Surfactant Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cleavable surfactants are temperature-dependent.
- Gemini surfactants offer unique properties due to their structure.
- Carbonate linkages are hydrolyzable and can yield specific degradation products.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize and evaluate a novel nonionic gemini surfactant featuring a hydrolyzable carbonate spacer.
- Investigate the hydrolysis rate of this new surfactant, focusing on temperature effects.
- Explain the unusual temperature dependence of the hydrolysis rate.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a nonionic gemini surfactant with a carbonate linkage.
- Hydrolysis rate studies at different temperatures (15°C and 30°C) under alkaline conditions.
- Comparison with monomeric nonionic carbonate-containing surfactants as references.
- Analysis of solubility profiles of amphiphiles with polyoxyethylene chains.
Main Results:
- The synthesized gemini surfactant exhibited a critical micelle concentration significantly lower than its degradation product.
- Alkaline hydrolysis was rapid at 15°C but notably slow at 30°C.
- This inverse relationship between hydrolysis rate and temperature was also observed in reference monomeric surfactants.
- The observed phenomenon was correlated with the inverse solubility-temperature profile of polyoxyethylene-containing amphiphiles.
Conclusions:
- A novel nonionic gemini surfactant with a hydrolyzable carbonate bond was successfully synthesized and characterized.
- An unusual inverse temperature dependence of alkaline hydrolysis rate was discovered for this surfactant and related compounds.
- This behavior, potentially useful in applications, is attributed to the temperature-dependent solubility of the polyoxyethylene chains.
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