Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Surfactant Molecules Based on Amphiphilic Polymers

Abstract

Twelve amphiphilic polymers were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) of different molecular weights, viz. 300, 600 and1000 as hydrophilic block and aliphatic diacids namely glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid and suberic acid as hydrophobic block in presence of catalyst Conc. H₂SO₄. Synthesized polyesters were characterized by using ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and IR spectroscopy. Micellar sizes of the polymers were determined using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) which ranged from 127.5–354 nm. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) results confirm the findings of DLS. Critical Micelle Concentrations (CMC) of the synthesized polymers were determined using electrical conductivity meter which ranged from 112 to 155 mg L⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Amphiphilic polymers
• poly(ethylene glycols)
• aliphatic diacids
• ¹H-NMR
• ¹³C-NMR
• IR spectroscopy
• DLS
• TEM
• CMC