Interfacial Dynamic Properties and Dilational Rheology of Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant and its Mixtures with Quaternary Ammonium Bromides at the Air-Water Interface

The dynamic interfacial properties and dilational rheology of gemini sulfonate surfactant (SGS) and its mixtures with quaternary ammonium bromides (DTAB, CTAB) at the air-water interface were investigated using drop shape analysis. Results suggest that the adsorption process of these surfactants is diffusion-controlled at dilute concentrations, whereas the adsorption mechanism gradually shifts to a mixed kinetic-diffusion control with increasing surfactant concentration. The mixed surfactant system possesses the best surface activity when the molar ratios of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures are 9:10. The formation of catanionic complexes shields the electrostatic repulsion between surfactant molecules and lowers the electrostatic adsorption barrier. Therefore, SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures exhibit higher adsorption rates than either component alone. The effects of oscillating frequency and surfactant concentration on the surface dilational properties of SGS, DTAB, CTAB, SGS/DTAB, and SGS/CTAB mixtures were also determined. As the oscillating frequency increases, the dilational elasticity of these surfactants gradually increases. The dilational elasticity peaks at a certain concentration, which is less than the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Results show that the dilational elasticity of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures is higher than that of either component, resulting from the formation of a denser monomolecular adsorption layer at the air-water interface. Our study provides a basis for understanding the interaction mechanism of catanionic surfactant mixtures containing Gemini surfactant at the air-water interface.