Synthesis of ethoxylated alkyl sulfosuccinate surfactants and the investigation of mixed solutions

Abstract

A series of ethoxylated sodium monoalkyl sulfosuccinate (ESMASS) ester surfactants were prepared by reacting polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600) with sodium monoalkyl sulfosuccinate (SMASS). The esters were prepared by reacting octyl, lauryl, or cetyl alcohol with sodium sulfosuccinate (SSS) to prepare E(14)SMOSS, E(14)SMLSS, and E(14)SMCSS. The chemical structures of the prepared surfactants were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The surface tension of the synthesized surfactants was measured at 25 °C individually or mixing at different molar fractions with sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. The surface active properties were calculated and the micellization process of the mixture was investigated. The molar ratio of anionic (SDOSS) and anionic-nonionic surfactant moieties [E(14)SMOSS, E(14)SMLSS, and E(14)SMCSS] in the mixed aggregates were deduced using the regular solution approximation equations. Depending on the critical micelle concentration values measured for each surfactant individually, and as well as the mixed systems, the minimum surface tension was exhibited at a ratio of 0.6 SDOSS:0.4 E(14)SMCSS. The micellar composition of the mixed aggregates were explained and discussed based on the effect of their chemical structures. The activity coefficient (f 1, f 2), interaction parameter (β), and ideality of anionic-nonionic mixed aggregates were evaluated. © AOCS 2007.