ESR Studies on the Micellization Behaviors of a Series of Novel Asymmetric Gemini Surfactants

The synthesis of a new series of asymmetric cationic gemini surfactant and the investigation of their micellization behaviors by electronic spin resonance (ESR) as well as the surface tension measurements were reported. 4 Oxo 2,2,6,6 te~tra~me~thyl~pi~pe~ri~dine N oxyl (4 oxo TEMPO) is used as the spin probe. The surfactants studied have the general formula [C n H 2 n +1 N +(CH 3) 2C 6H 12 N +(CH 3) 2C m H 2 m +1 ]Br 2 -, referred to as dimeric n 6 m surfactants, in which n and m are the numbers of carbon atoms in the asymmetric side alkyl chains. From the experimental data, rotational correlation time τ c, surface tension and critical micelle concentration (cmc) values, the physical properties of these new surfactants have preliminarily been evaluated. It is shown that this new series of asymmetric gemini surfactants has interesting micellization behaviors, and they are very different in aggregating tendency from their asymmetric analogues.