Interactions between N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2,3-epoxypropyl) ammonium chloride and some surfactants

Abstract

The interactions between the reactive cationic surfactant, N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2,3-epoxy propyl) ammonium chloride (TDEAC) and common surfactants, i.e., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sodium dodecyl sulfonate (AS), dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) and N, N-dimethyldodecylamine oxide (C₁₂DMAO) are studied through surface tension, conductivity, steady-state fluorescence and dynamic light scattering as well as Rubingh regular solution methods. The calculated values of cmc, γ_cmc, pc₂₀, π_cmc, Г_max, and A_min indicate a strong synergistic effect between TDEAC and SDS (and AS) as compared with the relatively weak interaction of TDEAC with DTAC (and C₁₂DMAO). The cmcs of the mixed surfactant systems vary with temperature. Thermodynamic parameters calculated from conductivity data show that the micellization of TDEAC/SDS (AS) mixed systems is a spontaneous and exothermic process. Data from steady-state fluorescence, dynamic light scattering and Rubingh’s regular solution approach, confirm the strong interaction between surfactants.