Surface Activity of Monomeric and Polymeric (3-alkyloxy aniline) Surfactants

ABSTRACT

The adsorption and micellization processes of 3-alkyloxy aniline namely [3-decyloxy aniline (C10M), 3-dodecyloxy aniline (C12M) and 3-cetyloxy aniline (C16M)] and their polymers [C10P, C12P and C16P] have been investigated using surface tension (γ) measurements at different temperatures. The synthesized monomers and polymers have been characterized by IR and elemental analysis. The surface and thermodynamic parameters of these monomeric and polymeric surfactants are investigated. The results show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the polymeric surfactants is lower than that of monomers. The CMC values decreases as the hydrophobic chain lengthens for both monomeric and polymeric surfactants. The surface parameters show the ability of monomeric and polymeric surfactants to adsorb at the air/water interface and decrease the surface tension. The thermodynamic parameters reveal that the micellization process is spontaneous for all investigated surfactants. The specific conductance measurements show that the specific conductance increases with increasing chain length of the substituted alkyl groups, the synthesized polymeric surfactants have higher values of specific conductance than the corresponding monomers and the specific conductance increases with rising solution temperature.

Keywords:

• monomeric and polymeric surfactants
• critical micelle concentration (CMC)
• surface parameters
• thermodynamic parameters
• specific conductance

Notes

w = weak band, m = medium band, sh = shoulder band, b = broad band, and s = strong band.