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Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 27671

Special Issue Editor

1. Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-hasa, Saudi Arabia
2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
Interests: physical and thermodynamic performance of molecules; functional composite; surfactant-based composite; nanostructured materials; surfactant adhesion; eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors; environmental research; water treatment; recyclable materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Surfactant science has attracted the attention of researchers from all over the world because of the large extent of surfactants’ application fields (petroleum oil recovery, corrosion inhibitors, drugs, detergents, demulsifiers, etc.), in addition to the more important auxiliary role for surfactants in nanotechnology and catalysis science.

In this Special Issue dedicated to “Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants” publishes scientific contributions in the surfactants area. This comprises the applied science of oleochemical and petrochemical surfactants, as well as the performance and development of surfactants in all applications. Experimental and computational investigations are welcome.

Dr. Hany M. Abd El-Lateef
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • surfactant applications
  • surfactant-based materials
  • imidazoline surfactants
  • polymeric surfactants
  • antioxidant and antibacterial activity
  • corrosion inhibition
  • biodegradation
  • surface activity
  • wastewater treatment

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5949 KiB  
Article
Interfacial Properties, Wettability Alteration and Emulsification Properties of an Organic Alkali–Surface Active Ionic Liquid System: Implications for Enhanced Oil Recovery
by Bennet Nii Tackie-Otoo, Mohammed Abdalla Ayoub Mohammed, Hazman Akmal Bin Mohd Zalghani, Anas M. Hassan, Pearl Isabellah Murungi and Grace Amabel Tabaaza
Molecules 2022, 27(7), 2265; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27072265 - 31 Mar 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1561
Abstract
Combinatory flooding techniques evolved over the years to mitigate various limitations associated with unitary flooding techniques and to enhance their performance as well. This study investigates the potential of a combination of 1-hexadecyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide (C16mimBr) and monoethanolamine (ETA) as an [...] Read more.
Combinatory flooding techniques evolved over the years to mitigate various limitations associated with unitary flooding techniques and to enhance their performance as well. This study investigates the potential of a combination of 1-hexadecyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide (C16mimBr) and monoethanolamine (ETA) as an alkali–surfactant (AS) formulation for enhanced oil recovery. The study is conducted comparative to a conventional combination of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium metaborate (NaBO2). The study confirmed that C16mimBr and CTAB have similar aggregation behaviors and surface activities. The ETA–C16mimBr system proved to be compatible with brine containing an appreciable concentration of divalent cations. Studies on interfacial properties showed that the ETA–C16mimBr system exhibited an improved IFT reduction capability better than the NaBO2–CTAB system, attaining an ultra-low IFT of 7.6 × 10−3 mN/m. The IFT reduction performance of the ETA–C16mimBr system was improved in the presence of salt, attaining an ultra-low IFT of 2.3 × 10−3 mN/m. The system also maintained an ultra-low IFT even in high salinity conditions of 15 wt% NaCl concentration. Synergism was evident for the ETA–C16mimBr system also in altering the carbonate rock surface, while the wetting power of CTAB was not improved by the addition of NaBO2. Both the ETA–C16mimBr and NaBO2–CTAB systems proved to form stable emulsions even at elevated temperatures. This study, therefore, reveals that a combination of surface-active ionic liquid and organic alkali has excellent potential in enhancing the oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs at high salinity, high-temperature conditions in carbonate formations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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23 pages, 4639 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Performance of Double-Chain Quaternary Ammonium Salt Glucosamide Surfactants
by Lifei Zhi, Xiufang Shi, Erzhuang Zhang, Chuangji Gao, Haocheng Gai, Hui Wang, Zhenmin Liu and Tieming Zhang
Molecules 2022, 27(7), 2149; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27072149 - 26 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2115
Abstract
A series of double-chain quaternary ammonium salt surfactants N-[N′[3-(gluconamide)] propyl-N′-alkyl]propyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-alkyl ammonium bromide (CnDDGPB, where n represents a hydrocarbon chain length of 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16) were successfully synthesized [...] Read more.
A series of double-chain quaternary ammonium salt surfactants N-[N′[3-(gluconamide)] propyl-N′-alkyl]propyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-alkyl ammonium bromide (CnDDGPB, where n represents a hydrocarbon chain length of 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16) were successfully synthesized from D (+)-glucose δ-lactone, N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine, and bromoalkane using a two-step method consisting of a proamine-ester reaction and postquaternization. Their surface activity, adsorption, and aggregation behavior in aqueous solution were investigated via measurements of dynamic/static surface tension, contact angle, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. An analysis of their application performance in terms of wettability, emulsifying properties, toxicity, and antibacterial properties was conducted. The results show that with increasing the carbon chain length of the CnDDGPB surfactants, their critical micelle concentration (CMC) increased and the pC20 and efficiency in the interface adsorption of the target product gradually decreased. Moreover, the influence of the hydrophobic carbon chain length on the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was even greater for the wetting effect, reducing the contact angle to 32° within the length range of C8–C14. The results of the contact angle change and the wettability experiments proved that C10DDGPB exhibited the best wettability. The liquid paraffin and soybean oil emulsification ability of CnDDGPB showed an upward trend followed by a downward trend with the growth of the carbon chain, with C12DDGPB exhibiting the best emulsification performance. The Dlong/Dshort ratio was far lower than 1, which indicates mixed-kinetic adsorption. The surfactants formed spherical micelles and showed a unique aggregation behavior in aqueous solution, which showed an increase–decrease–increase trend with the change in concentration. A cell toxicity and acute oral toxicity experiment showed that the CnDDGPB surfactants were less toxic than the commonly used surfactant dodecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (1227). In addition, at a concentration of 150 ppm, CnDDGPB exhibited the same bacteriostatic effect as 1227 at a concentration of 100 ppm. The results demonstrate that sugar-based amide cationic surfactants are promising as environmentally friendly disinfection products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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19 pages, 4523 KiB  
Article
Corrosion Inhibition Using Harmal Leaf Extract as an Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor
by Nasreen Al Otaibi and Hassan H. Hammud
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 7024; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26227024 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3044
Abstract
Extract of natural plants is one of the most important metallic corrosion inhibitors. They are readily available, nontoxic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, highly efficient, and renewable. The present project focuses on the corrosion inhibition effects of Peganum Harmala leaf extract. The equivalent circuit with [...] Read more.
Extract of natural plants is one of the most important metallic corrosion inhibitors. They are readily available, nontoxic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, highly efficient, and renewable. The present project focuses on the corrosion inhibition effects of Peganum Harmala leaf extract. The equivalent circuit with two time constants with film and charge transfer components gave the best fitting of impedance data. Extraction of active species by sonication proved to be an effective new method to extract the inhibitors. High percent inhibition efficacy IE% of 98% for 283.4 ppm solutions was attained using impedance spectroscopy EIS measurements. The values of charge transfer Rct increases while the double layer capacitance Cdl values decrease with increasing Harmal extract concentration. This indicates the formation of protective film. The polarization curves show that the Harmal extract acts as a cathodic-type inhibitor. It is found that the adsorption of Harmal molecules onto the steel surface followed Langmuir isotherm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR was used to determine the electron-rich functional groups in Harmal extract, which contribute to corrosion inhibition effect. Scanning electron microscopy SEM measurement of a steel surface clearly proves the anticorrosion effect of Harmal leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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25 pages, 6175 KiB  
Article
Novel Cellulose Derivatives Containing Metal (Cu, Fe, Ni) Oxide Nanoparticles as Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors for C-Steel in Acidic Chloride Solutions
by Mohamed Gouda and Hany M. Abd El-Lateef
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 7006; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26227006 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1985
Abstract
Novel environmentally-friendly corrosion inhibitors based on primary aminated modified cellulose (PAC) containing nano-oxide of some metals (MONPs), for instance iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs), and nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs), were successfully synthesized. The as-prepared PAC/MONPs nanocomposites [...] Read more.
Novel environmentally-friendly corrosion inhibitors based on primary aminated modified cellulose (PAC) containing nano-oxide of some metals (MONPs), for instance iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs), and nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs), were successfully synthesized. The as-prepared PAC/MONPs nanocomposites were categorized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and selected area diffraction pattern (SAED) techniques. The data from spectroscopy indicated that successful formation of PAC/MONPs nanocomposites, as well as the TEM images, declared the synthesized PAC/Fe3O4NPs, PAC/CuONPs, and PAC/NiONPs with regular distribution with particle size diameters of 10, 23 and 43 nm, respectively. The protection performance of the as-prepared PAC and PAC/MONPs nanocomposites on the corrosion of C-steel in molar HCl was studied by the electrochemical and weight-loss approaches. The outcomes confirmed that the protection power increased with a rise in the [inhibitor]. The protection efficiency reached 88.1, 93.2, 96.1 and 98.6% with 250 ppm of PAC/CuONP, PAC/Fe3O4NPs, and PAC/NiONPs, respectively. PAC and all PAC/MONPs nanocomposites worked as mixed-kind inhibitors and their adsorption on the C-steel interface followed the isotherm Langmuir model. The findings were reinforced by FT-IR, FE-SEM and EDX analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1398 KiB  
Review
Removal of the Harmful Nitrate Anions from Potable Water Using Different Methods and Materials, including Zero-Valent Iron
by Hany M. Abd El-Lateef, Mai M. Khalaf, Alaa El-dien Al-Fengary and Mahmoud Elrouby
Molecules 2022, 27(8), 2552; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27082552 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2149
Abstract
Drinking water containing nitrate ions at a higher concentration level of more than 10 mg/L, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a considerable peril to humans. This danger lies in its reduction of nitrite ions. These ions cause methemoglobinemia during the [...] Read more.
Drinking water containing nitrate ions at a higher concentration level of more than 10 mg/L, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a considerable peril to humans. This danger lies in its reduction of nitrite ions. These ions cause methemoglobinemia during the oxidation of hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Many protocols can be applied to the remediation of nitrate ions from hydra solutions such as Zn metal and amino sulfonic acid. Furthermore, the electrochemical process is a potent protocol that is useful for this purpose. Designing varying parameters, such as the type of cathodic electrode (Sn, Al, Fe, Cu), the type of electrolyte, and its concentration, temperature, pH, and current density, can give the best conditions to eliminate the nitrate as a pollutant. Moreover, the use of accessible, functional, and inexpensive adsorbents such as granular ferric hydroxide, modified zeolite, rice chaff, chitosan, perlite, red mud, and activated carbon are considered a possible approach for nitrate removal. Additionally, biological denitrification is considered one of the most promising methodologies attributable to its outstanding performance. Among these powerful methods and materials exist zero-valent iron (ZVI), which is used effectively in the deletion process of nitrate ions. Non-precious synthesis pathways are utilized to reduce the Fe2+ or Fe3+ ions by borohydride to obtain ZVI. The structural and morphological characteristics of ZVI are elucidated using UV–Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, XRD, FE-SEM, and TEM. The adsorptive properties are estimated through batch experiments, which are achieved to control the feasibility of ZVI as an adsorbent under the effects of Fe0 dose, concentration of NO3 ions, and pH. The obtained literature findings recommend that ZVI is an appropriate applicant adsorbent for the remediation of nitrate ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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15 pages, 3629 KiB  
Review
Skin Cleansing without or with Compromise: Soaps and Syndets
by Dalibor Mijaljica, Fabrizio Spada and Ian P. Harrison
Molecules 2022, 27(6), 2010; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27062010 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9951
Abstract
Products designed to cleanse the skin commonly do so through surfactant action, which leads to the lowering of the surface tension of the skin to facilitate the removal of dirt from its surface. Skin cleansers generally come in one of two types: soap-based [...] Read more.
Products designed to cleanse the skin commonly do so through surfactant action, which leads to the lowering of the surface tension of the skin to facilitate the removal of dirt from its surface. Skin cleansers generally come in one of two types: soap-based and synthetic detergents, or syndets. While the latter can effectively maintain the native skin structure, function and integrity, the former tends to negatively affect the skin by causing barrier disruption, lipid dissolution and pH alteration. Despite this, soap is still often preferred, possibly due to the negative connotations around anything that is not perceived as ‘natural’. It is, therefore, important that the science behind cleansers, especially those designed for the maintenance of healthy skin and the management of common skin conditions such as eczema, be understood by both formulators and end-users. Here, we carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of surfactant—the key ingredient(s) in skin cleansers—and provide insight into surfactants’ physicochemical properties, biological activity and potential effects. Fine-tuning of the complex characteristics of surfactants can successfully lead to an ‘optimal’ skin cleanser that can simultaneously be milder in nature, highly effective and beneficial, and offer minimal skin interference and environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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51 pages, 15300 KiB  
Review
CNSL, a Promising Building Blocks for Sustainable Molecular Design of Surfactants: A Critical Review
by Audrey Roy, Pauline Fajardie, Bénédicte Lepoittevin, Jérôme Baudoux, Vincent Lapinte, Sylvain Caillol and Benoit Briou
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27041443 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5070
Abstract
Surfactants are crystallizing a certain focus for consumer interest, and their market is still expected to grow by 4 to 5% each year. Most of the time these surfactants are of petroleum origin and are not often biodegradable. Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) [...] Read more.
Surfactants are crystallizing a certain focus for consumer interest, and their market is still expected to grow by 4 to 5% each year. Most of the time these surfactants are of petroleum origin and are not often biodegradable. Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) is a promising non-edible renewable resource, directly extracted from the shell of the cashew nut. The interesting structure of CNSL and its components (cardanol, anacardic acid and cardol) lead to the synthesis of biobased surfactants. Indeed, non-ionic, anionic, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants based on CNSL have been reported in the literature. Even now, CNSL is absent or barely mentioned in specialized review or chapters talking about synthetic biobased surfactants. Thus, this review focuses on CNSL as a building block for the synthesis of surfactants. In the first part, it describes and criticizes the synthesis of molecules and in the second part, it compares the efficiency and the properties (CMC, surface tension, kraft temperature, biodegradability) of the obtained products with each other and with commercial ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants)
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