Synthesis and Surface Activity of Bisphosphate Gemini Surfactants

Abstract Anionic bisphosphodiester gemini surfactants with two different spacer moieties and varying alkyl chain lengths were synthesized and investigated for their surface active properties. The equilibrium and dynamic surface tension studies were carried out using the Wilhelmy plate technique and maximum bubble pressure method respectively. It was found that these gemini surfactants possess lower critical micellar concentration values, and reduce the surface tension to a greater extent in comparison with the conventional analogues. The efficiency of the synthesized gemini surfactants was also evaluated. The results of surface activities obtained were correlated with the structures of gemini surfactants. The dynamic surface tension measurements showed that the geminis with long chains adsorb very slowly at the air/water interface within the time span of measurements. These gemini surfactants showed low foamability.