Surface engineered novel cationic surfactants with enhanced surface adsorption for environmental applications

• Novel Gemini cationic surfactants (GCS) have been synthesized and evaluated. • Surface tension of GCSs measured between 26.5 and 31.5 mN/m. • Structural validation was achieved using 1H NMR and IR spectra analysis. • Physicochemical parameters offer insights into surfactant behaviour. • GCSs demonstrate remarkable antimicrobial potency at different concentrations. • Dynamic Light Scattering reveals micelle aggregate size trends. Gemini Cationic Surfactants (GCS) have garnered significant attention due to their distinctive molecular structure, featuring two hydrophilic head groups associated with a hydrophobic spacer. This distinctive configuration enables diverse applications across various fields. Hence, the current study introduces a novel series of GCSs, ethanediyl-1,2-bis[di(2-hydroxypropyl) alkylammonium] dibromide (C n -C 2 -C n [IsoPr(OH) 2 ; n = 9, 12 and 14) and comprehensively explore their properties, highlighting their promising antimicrobial activity. The synthesis of GCSs was validated using 1 H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Dynamic Light Scattering was employed to determine the dimensions of Gemini surfactant aggregates in aqueous solutions. Surface tension analysis determined critical concentrations of micelle (CMC), minimum surface area (A min ) and concentration of surface excess (Γ max ). Physicochemical properties were assessed through conductivity and surface tension analyses in aqueous solutions. The CMC, A min and Γ max values decrease as alkyl chain length extends. Surface tension data revealed strong adsorption of GCSs at interfaces. π values (mN/m) ranged from 36.7 (C 14 C 2 C 14 [Iso-Pr(OH)] 2 ) to 45.3 (C 9 C 2 C 9 [Iso-Pr(OH)] 2 ). Conductivity and surface tension measurements further characterized Gemini surfactants in aqueous environments at 298 K. The size of the micelle aggregates varied between C 9 C 2 C 9 [Iso-Pr(OH)] 2 (1.2885 nm) and C 14 C 2 C 14 [Iso-Pr(OH)] 2 (1.9210 nm), highlighting the impact of chain length on micelle size. Hence, the study highlights significant effect of the chain lengths on Gemini cationic surfactants’ self-assembly in dilute aqueous environments. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated significant activity of C n -C 2 -C n [IsoPr(OH)] 2 GCSs at varying concentrations. Antimicrobial tests showed the significant antimicrobial potential of these GCS compounds, suggesting their potential and promising applications in medical, hygiene, environmental sanitation and advanced materials sectors.