Silicone-based surfactant degradation in aqueous media

The increasing use of surfactants, such as modified polydimethylsiloxane-graft-polyethylene oxide (PDMS-g-PEO), requires studies on the fate of these compounds in the environment and in particular in wastewater systems. A kinetic study, performed under three different pH conditions (pH 2,53 and 11) and using H-1 NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), proves that hydrolysis of the siloxane chain takes place in all cases, with higher rates for the two extreme conditions. Steric exclusion chromatography (SEC) clearly showed a decrease in the average molecular weight of the copolymer leading to a new molecular weight distribution, especially in acidic conditions. Degradation products, analyzed by Si-29 NMR, were found to be similar whatever the degradation pathway, namely silanediols and cyclic volatile compounds (degradation products of PDMS) and also PEO-modified silanediols and cyclic compounds. After one year, the siloxane chain completely disappeared under acidic conditions. Real wastewater medium has a strong effect on polymer stability, indicating that pH is not the only parameter which influences degradation rate. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.