Synthesis of selected Gemini Surfactants: Surface, biological activityand corrosion efficiency against hydrochloric acid medium

In this paper, a family of novel Gemini surfactants from mono alkyl glycerol ether with different hydrophobe lengths (C12, C18) and different spacers as ethylene glycol, hydroquinol, N,N,N\,N\, tetramethylene diamine and sodium-bis-N,N(carboxymethyl) ethylene diamine were synthesized on a laboratory scale. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. Surface tension measurements were used to determine the critical micellar concentration (cmc), the maximum surface excess concentration (Gmax), minimum area per molecule (Amin.) at air/water interface, Gibb’s free energy of adsorption (DGads) and other parameters.The inhibition of dimeric surfactants on the corrosion of carbon steel (CS) in (1M) HCl was studied at 25°C by weight loss. The obtained results showed that the prepared gemini compounds are excellent. The antimicrobial activity of dimeric compounds were tested against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Dimeric surfactants are very attractive for catalysis and adsorption applications, biotechnology, enhanced oil recovery and as paint additive.