Synthesis and Properties of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants Based on Alkylamine, Propylene Oxide, and 2-Chloroethanol

New quaternary ammonium salts are synthesized by octylamine, nonylamine, dodecylamine, and hexadecylamine reacting with propylene oxide at a mole ratio of 1:2, followed by reaction with 2-chloroethanol. By tensiometric measurements of aqueous solutions, their surface activity has been determined. Using the results of these measurements and electroconductometric studies, important parameters such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), efficiency of surfactant adsorption, surface pressure at the CMC, changes of Gibbs free energies for micelle formation, and adsorption were estimated. By application of the Gibbs adsorption isotherm, indices such as maximum surface excess concentration and minimum surface area/molecule at the air–water interface were also calculated. Petroleum-collecting properties of these surfactants were investigated. Among these quaternary ammonium surfactants, the surfactant based on dodecylamine, propylene oxide, and 2-chloroethanol exhibits the highest petroleum-collecting capacity. © 2018 AOCS