Generation of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon hybrid gemini surfactants controlled by micellar miscibility

Abstract

Hybrid surfactants were generated through the simple mixing of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon gemini surfactants in aqueous solutions at 25°C. Disulfide exchange between the disulfide in the spacer chain occurred in the mixed micelles. However, the generation of hybrid gemini surfactants was particularly inhibited by the addition of salt. The suppression of the electrostatic repulsion between the hydrophilic headgroups led to the close packing of the hydrophobic chains in the micelles, resulting in the increased immiscibility of the fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon surfactants. On the other hand, when fluorocarbon-fluorocarbon or hydrocarbon-hydrocarbon surfactants were mixed, equilibrium with a 1:2 ratio of symmetric and dissymmetric gemini surfactants was attained after incubation for 24 h.