Mixed Micellization: Improved Physicochemical Behavior of Gemini Surfactants in Presence of Other Amphiphiles

Abstract

Abstract Notable research on the surfactant interactions in binary solutions has resulted in novel experimental results on the mixing effect of amphiphiles. Although some interesting well-written articles describing the amphiphilic interactions are available in literature, a detailed review that can satisfactorily give explanations concerning the interaction of surfactants of various polarities in the binary gemini-conventional surfactant mixtures is the requirement of the present time. The main goal of this review is to explain the behavior of gemini surfactants in presence of an additional monomeric/dimeric amphiphile. It deals with mixed micellization, synergism, antagonism, adsorption, and also the theoretical interpretations (and experimental use) of the models given by Clint, Rubingh, Motomura, Rodenas, Maeda, Sarmoria, Georgiev, Nagarajan and Rosen. The last decade has witnessed parallel rise in the development and applications of gemini surfactants along with the studies on mixed systems of conventional surfactants with gemini types. We have tried to present pertinent information regarding interaction of various surfactants. Our purpose here is twofold: one is to discuss various theoretical models for the formation of mixed micelles and the second is to see how these models fit to various mixed systems constituting gemini surfactant as one of the components.