Synthesis of a Novel Gemini Cationic Surfactant and Its Inhibition Behaviour and Mechanism Study on 2024 Al-Cu-Mg Alloy in Acid Solution

Isopropylamine was taken as a raw material to synthesize a new multi-alkyl multiple quaternary-ammonium salts gemini surfactant bis[2-hydroxy-3-(dodecyldimethylammonio)propyl]-isopropylamine dichloride. The structure of the synthetic product was characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR. The surface activity was investigated; the inhibition efficiencies and inhibition mechanism of the synthetic product were studied by weight loss method, electrochemical method, microscopic morphology observation, and adsorption model calculation. The results indicate that cmc of synthetic product was 9.204 ×  mol/L; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the inhibition efficiencies rose substantially, which was up to 89.3% with the concentration of 9.204 ×   mol/L; when they were higher than cmc, inhibition efficiencies were basically unchanged; polarization tests showed that the synthesis product could restrain both anodic and cathodic reactions; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the adsorption of the synthetic product conformed to the Langmuir model, which formed monolayer on the 2024 Al-Cu-Mg alloy surface; when they were higher than cmc, it formed bilayer, so the adsorption of the synthetic product did not conform to the Langmuir model anymore.