Gemini surfactants at solid-liquid interfaces: Control of interfacial aggregate geometry

Publication Year
1997

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
Recent work has shown that conventional surfactants form ordered aggregates of well-defined shape and size at solid-liquid interfaces.(1, 2) Here we report interfacial aggregate structures as a function of surfactant geometry by using gemini surfactants with varying tail and spacer lengths. On the anionic cleavage plane of mica, aggregates tend to favor a lower curvature than in solution but follow the same general variation with surfactant geometry (i.e., with larger headgroup areas resulting in greater curvature). These morphologies on mica correlate well with those observed in surfactant-silicate mesophases, where electrostatic binding of headgroups also plays a dominant role. In addition, interfacial sphere-to-rod transitions are induced on mica (as in free solution) by binding with a headgroup-specific counterion. In contrast to mica, the hydrophobic cleavage plane of graphite interacts with surfactant tailgroups, giving rise to interfacial aggregates that are surface-controlled and relatively independent of surfactant geometry. This interaction is used to heterogeneously nucleate a surfactant-silicate mesophase which is interfacially controlled and differs from the bulk phase.
Journal
Langmuir
Volume
13
Pages
6382-6387
Date Published
11/1997
Type of Article
Article
ISBN
0743-7463
Accession Number
WOS:A1997YJ33100010