Surface Activity Properties and Aggregation Behaviors of Partially Fluorinated Gemini Surfactants in Aqueous Solution

Abstract The surface activity and aggregation behavior of partially fluorinated gemini surfactant N,N′‐bis(3‐perfluorohexyl‐2‐hydroxypropyl)‐N,N′‐dipropanesulfonylhexylenediamine (N‐6‐Sul) was studied by surface tension, resonance light scattering and fluorescence spectra measurements. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values obtained by the three methods are in good agreement. The surface activity parameters such as the effectiveness of surface tension reduction (Πcmc), the maximum surface excess concentration (Γmax) and the minimum surface area per molecule (Amin) were obtained through surface tension curves. The effects of pH, inorganic salts and temperature on the surface activity were also investigated. The morphology and size of the aggregates of N‐6‐Sul were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the partially fluorinated gemini surfactant N‐6‐Sul has many advantages such as high surface activity, low CMC value, great salt tolerance and temperature resistance.