Synthesis and application of novel Gemini esterquats in fabric softeners: Role of spacer chain length on surfactant properties

Gemini surfactants are dimeric molecules having two monomeric units connected by a spacer. Gemini surfactants, owing to their molecular structure have better surfactant properties than other monomeric surfactants. Esterquat class gemini surfactants can be synthesized using a spacer containing ester linkages. In the current study, the synthesis of novel esterquat gemini surfactants was carried out with spacers of varying chain lengths and was characterized using sophisticated instrumental methods. Various surfactant properties including foaming, emulsification, CMC, surface excess, antimicrobial activity and wetting potential using contact angle were analyzed and compared with benzalkonium chloride. It was observed that the CMC as low as 24.79 × 10⁻³ mM of the synthesized surfactants is potentially lower than that of conventional monomeric surfactants and was found to increase with an increase in spacer chain length. Further, the applicability and evaluation of performance properties of the synthesized surfactants were studied in fabric softener formulation. The water absorbency and whiteness retention of the formulation prepared using 12-6-12 GS was the highest due to its better wettability amongst other synthesized surfactants owing to its higher spacer chain length. To summarize, the surface and anti-microbial properties of the synthesized surfactants vary greatly with the alteration in spacer chain length.