International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Impact Factor (2012): 3.358 Volume 3 Issue 11, November 2014 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Study of Physico-Chemical Properties of Glycerol Ester Based Non-Ionic Gemini Surfactant Ishwar T. Gawali 1 , Ghayas. A. Usmani 2 Department of Oil Technology, University Institute of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon-425001, MS, India Abstract: Gemini or dimeric surfactants can be viewed as two conventional surfactants connected via a spacer at the level of the polar head groups. Various Physico-chemical properties of synthesized glycerol based non-ionic gemini surfactant synthesized by using 1,2,7,8 -diepoxideoctane as spacer has been studied. The surface active properties such as surface tension, critical micelle concentration and effectiveness were determined. The value of surface tension and critical micelle concentration were found to be 30.5mN/m and 0.005mMol/L respectively. The foam production and stability was studied by measuring the volume of foam produced after 30 second and 300 second by varying concentration. The result shows that foaming power and stability is quite low. The investigation showed that synthesized surfactant has good emulsifying power as it promotes emulsion formation at both low and high concentration. The wetting power of synthesized surfactant is quite low. The dispersion power of synthesized non-ionic gemini surfactant was found to be 35%. The synthesized surfactant can be used as emulsifier and dispersing agent. Keywords: Gemini Surfactant, Surface Tension, Critical Micelle Concentration, Effectiveness, Foaming Power and Stability, Wetting Power, Dispersing Power. 1. Introduction Surfactants are well known materials generally described as compounds bearing a hydrophobic and hydrophilic group per molecule. They are referred to as surface active agents that lower surface tension and they may act as emulsifier, detergents, dispersants and solubilizing agent in the field of cosmetic, textile treatment, industrial and personal cleaning operation. Surfactant molecules will diffuse in water and concentrate at interface between air and water, in case where water is mixed with oil, or form aggregates in water such as micelles [1]. Today, new surfactants should be milder, safer, and efficient with a minimal impact on the environment. Environmental awareness and protection have led to the development of more environmentally benign surfactant. There is trend toward replacing petrochemicals by renewable raw materials [2]. Gemini surfactants, sometimes called dimeric surfactants have two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic groups in the molecules, in contrast to conventional surfactants that generally have a single hydrophilic head group and a single hydrophobic group in the molecule. Gemini surfactants can be ten to a thousand times more surface active than conventional surfactants with similar but single hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups in the molecule. Gemini surfactant is very attractive for catalysis and adsorption applications, nanoscale technology, biotechnology and enhanced oil recovery. They also have good emulsifying behaviour when compared with the conventional singled-head-group surfactants. They are also applicable in the textile industry and gene therapy [1], [3]. These advantages of gemini surfactants reduces the over dependence and excessive consumption of conventional surfactant and are considered environment friendly. Due to their high molecular weight, skin penetration of gemini surfactant is expected to be low, which is one of the desirable properties of a surfactant to be used in body care products such as soaps, shampoos and cosmetics [1]. There are several research publications on Gemini surfactants and their potential applications. Aratani et al have synthesized Gemini surfactants from tartaric acid and studied properties. Anno Wagennaar et al have synthesized non-ionic reduced-sugar based bola amphiphiles and gemini surfactants with an α, ω-diamino-(oxa) alkyl spacer. Wenjian Zhang et al, synthesized non-ionic gemini surfactant Di-Glycerol 2, 9-Dihexyldecanedioate and studied the physico-chemical and performance properties [4]-[6]. In previous paper [7], we have described synthesis, characterization and some performance properties of glycerol based non-ionic gemini surfactant by using 1,2 7,8- diepoxideoctane as spacer. In this paper, various physico- chemical properties of synthesized glycerol based non-ionic gemini surfactant have been studied. The surface active properties of synthesized surfactant such as surface tension, critical micelle concentration and effectiveness were determined. The performance properties such as foaming power and stability, emulsifying power, wetting power, dispersion power were studied in details. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Material Non-ionic gemini surfactant was prepared from methods developed previously [7]. Light Paraffin oil, sodium stearate were purchased from sigma aldrich. Doubly distilled water was used all through the study. 2.2 Evaluation of Surfactant Properties 2.2.1 Surface Tension The surface tension of different concentrations of surfactants aqueous solution were measured using Du Nouy Tensiometer equipped with platinum-iridium ring at 25 0 C. The tensiometer was calibrated using doubly distilled water [8].The average value of three measurements of the surface tension data was used. Paper ID: 29101406 794