Synthesis, surface properties and antimicrobial performance of novel gemini pyridinium surfactants

A series of novel gemini pyridinium surfactants with different alkyl chains were synthesized and characterized. The surface properties and aggregation behavior of the gemini surfactants in solution were studied. The gemini pyridinium salts exhibit higher surface activity than quaternary ammonium salts and can form vesicles above critical micellization concentration (CMC). The antimicrobial performance of these surfactants against E. coli was investigated and compared with those of quaternary ammonium salts. Alkyl chain length has a significant effect on the antimicrobial activity of the gemini surfactants, and the surfactant with decyl group showed more effective antimicrobial activity than quaternary ammonium salts. The high cationic charge density on the polar head group and the strong adsorption tendency confer relatively high antimicrobial of the gemini surfactants.