Morpholinium-based amide-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) [C(n)AMorph][Br], where n = 8, 12, and 16, have been synthesized and characterized for their micellization behavior in aqueous medium using a variety of state of the art techniques. The adsorption and micellization behavior of [CnAMorph][Br] ILs at the air-solution interface and in the bulk, respectively, has been found to be much better compared to that observed for nonfunctionalized homologous ILs and conventional cationic surfactants, as shown by the comparatively higher adsorption efficiency, lower surface tension at the critical micelle concentraiton (γ(cmc)), and much lower critical micelle concentration (cmc) for [C(n)AMorph][Br] ILs. Conductivity measurements have been performed to obtain the cmc, degree of counterion binding (β), and standard free energy of micellization (ΔG(m)°). Isothermal titration calorimetry has provided information specifically about the thermodynamics of micellization, whereas steady-state fluorescence has been used to obtain the cmc, micropolarity of the cybotactic region, and aggregation number (N(agg)) of the micelles. Both dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy have provided insights into the size and shape of the micelles. 2D (1)H-(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy experiments have provided insights into the structure of the micelle, where [C16AMorph][Br] has shown distinct micellization behavior as compared to [C8AMorph][Br] and [C12AMorph][Br] in corroboration with observations made from other techniques.

New gemini imidazolium surfactants 9-13 have been synthesized by a regioselective epoxy ring-opening reaction under solvent-free conditions. The surface properties of these new gemini surfactants were evaluated by surface tension and conductivity measurements. These surfactants have been found to have low critical micelle concentration (cmc) values as compared to other categories of gemini cationic surfactants and also showed the tendency to form premicellar aggregates in solution at sufficiently low concentration below their cmc values. The thermal degradation of these surfactants was determined by thermograviometry analysis (TGA). These new cationic surfactants have a good DNA binding capability as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide exclusion experiments. They have also been found to have low cytotoxicity by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on the C6 glioma cell line.

Amide-functionalized surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), 1-methyl-1-dodecyl piperidinium chloride, [C12APip][Cl]; 1-methyl-1-dodecyl pyrrolidinium chloride, [C12APyrr][Cl]; 1-methyl-3-dodecyl imidazolium chloride, [C12Amim][Cl], and 1-methyl-1-dodecyl morpholinium chloride, [C12AMorph][Cl], have been synthesized, characterized and investigated for thermal stability, and micellization behavior in aqueous medium. The introduction of an amide moiety in the alkyl chain decreased the thermal stability of the functionalized SAILs compared to non-functionalized SAILs bearing a simple alkyl chain. A variety of state of the art techniques, viz. tensiometry, conductometry, steady-state fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), have been employed to investigate the micellization behavior. Amide-functionalized SAILs have shown much lower critical micelle concentration, cmc, and better surface active properties as compared to homologous non-functionalized SAILs. Steady-state fluorescence has provided information about cmc, aggregation number (Nagg) and polarity of the cybotactic region of the micelles, whereas ITC has provided insights into the thermodynamics of micellization. Furthermore, the size and shape of the micelles have been investigated using DLS and AFM techniques.

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