Experimental Investigation of Cationic Gemini Surfactants: Self‐Assembly, Corrosion Inhibition, Foaming and Dye Solubilization Properties

Abstract In this study, two cationic gemini surfactants 12‐3‐12 and 12‐3(OH)‐12 were synthesized in our labrotory. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of synthesized surfactants were determined by conductivity measurements. The aggregation number ( Nagg ) of micelles was calculated using the pyrene probe fluorescence method. It was been investigated the corrosion effect of cationic gemini surfactants were denoted as 12‐3‐12 and 12‐3(OH)‐12 for carbon steel in 1 M HCl. The inhibition effect was investigated using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. It has been determined that both surfactants showed the best inhibitory effect at low concentrations. The foaming capacity (FC) and the foam stability (FS) of gemini surfactants were studied by measuring the foam volume for 0.5 % (w/v) surfactant solutions and it was observed that the foaming properties of 12‐3(OH)‐12 gemini surfactant were better. The solubility capability of both surfactants was tested with the water‐insoluble dye Sudan Red B and it was observed that the solubility increased significantly over the CMC value of the cationic gemini surfactants. Finally, the corrosion effect, foam capacity and foam stability and effects on paint solubility of the synthesized surfactants were obtained at very low concentrations.