Investigation of Cationic Surfactants and Sulfonamides and Their Nanoparticles as Biocides Against Sulfur Reducing Bacteria in the Petroleum Industry

Abstract

A series of cationic ammonium surfactants (1–3) and sulfonamides (4–5) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The nanostructures of the synthesized surfactants and sulfonamides as silver and zinc nanoparticles (Ag/ZnNPs) were prepared and characterized using transmission electron microscope. The TEM image of AgN-1–3 is a spherical shape with narrow diameter, whereas ZnN-4–6 composites are roughly spherical. The size analysis demonstrated the average diameter of 50–55 nm for the composite. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized surfactants and sulfonamides as well as their nanostructures were investigated as potential biocides against sulfur reducing bacteria. The values of the inhibition zone diameters are gradually increased by increasing the concentration of the tested biocides and the maximum inhibition diameters for all biocides are obtained at 5 mg/mL. The results also showed that the sulfonamides and their nanocomposites have higher biocidal activities than those of the cationic ammonium surfactants biocides and their nanoparticles.

Keywords:

• biocides
• cationic surfactants
• petroleum industry
• silver and zinc nanoparticles
• sulfonamides

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by Taif University, Saudi Arabia, Project No.: 1-433-1819.