Bola and extended complex novel surfactants: synthesis and properties of an intrinsically non-foaming high surface active propoxylated bisphenol a phosphate ester salt surfactant

Abstract A novel non-foaming surfactant, propoxylated bisphenol A phosphate ester salt, integrating Extended and Bola-type surfactant characteristics, was synthesized via phosphorylation of propoxylated bisphenol A with phosphorus pentoxide. Its structure was characterized by FTIR and 1 H/ 31 P NMR. The critical micelle concentration and heat resistance were investigated by using an automated surface tension meter and thermal gravimetric analyzer, and the surface properties, such as water solubility, emulsibility, and foaming, were studied and evaluated. The experimental results showed that the product was soluble in water at room temperature, its aqueous solution had two cmc points with polymer surfactant properties, and its γ cmc was 32.97 and 32.70 mN m −1 , when the concentration was 1 % and 2 %, with good surface activity. It had excellent high-temperature resistance, with an initial decomposition temperature of 286.35 °C, and a maximum decomposition temperature of 295.66 °C. The thermal weight loss residue at 500 °C was 12.34 %, and the residual rate at 600–700 °C was stable at 10.85 %. The surfactant was intrinsically non-foaming, had high surface activity, strong emulsifying power, good penetration, excellent compatibility, and had good resistance to high temperature, acid, alkali, and oxidation.