Micellization of a cationic gemini surfactant in aqueous solutions with different alkanols and alkanediols as additives: Effect of nonpolar chain and position of hydroxyl groups

The gemini surfactant N-N'bis(dimethyldodecyl)-1,4-butanediammonium dibromide (12-4-12) was synthesized and its critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) and degree of counterion dissociation (alpha) in aqueous solutions in the presence of alkanols viz ethanol, isomeric butyl alcohols, 1-hexanol and alkanediols (ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol 1,6-hexanediol, and 1,8-octanediol) determined from electrical conductivity are reported. While ethanol, ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol showed an increase in CMC, a decrease was seen for isomeric butyl alcohols, 1-hexanol, isomeric hexanediols and 1,8-octanediol. For butyl alcohols the CMC decrease showed the trend 1 degrees>2 degrees>3 degrees in C-6 diols, 1,2-hexanediol exerted more decrease as compared to 2,5-hexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol.The results are explained on the basis of the structure and hydrophobicity of alcohols that determine their effect as cosolvent or cosurfactant (partitioning in micelles). Two-dimensional nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (2D-NOESY) was used to examine the location for 1-butanol and 1,4-butanediol in micellar systems as representative additives from alkanols and alkanediols showing CMC decreasing and increasing effect respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.