The
search for alternative, biodegradable, and sustainable raw
materials to replace finite petrochemicals is an area of great interest.
Triglycerides obtained from oilseed crops are such potential raw materials.
In this study, sesame oil was trans-esterified to sesame fatty methyl
esters (SEFAMEs) that were used as precursors in the synthesis of
sesame fatty methyl esters sulfonate (SEFAMESO) surfactant. SEFAME
and SEFAMESO surfactants were characterized by high-performance liquid
chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), 1H NMR,
and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. HPLC-MS, 1H NMR, and FTIR spectra indicated successful trans-esterification
and conversion of SEFAMEs to SEFAMESO. Solution properties of the
SEFAMESO surfactant including hydrophilic–lipophilic balance
(HLB) value, Krafft point, foam-ability, critical micelle concentration
(CMC), counterion degree of binding and thermodynamic parameters such
as ΔG°mic, ΔH°mic, ΔS°mic, ΔH°mic,* and T
C were evaluated. The CMC values of SEFAMESO at 298.15
K were relatively lower than that of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
standard, and these values decreased to a minimum at 303.15 K and
then increased with an increase in temperature. ΔG°mic values were negative indicating a spontaneous
micellization process. ΔH°mic and ΔS°mic values revealed
that micellization was entropy-driven at low temperatures and both
entropy- and enthalpy-driven at high temperatures. ΔH°mic,* values were negative suggesting
formation of stable micelles. The evaluated properties revealed the
potential application of the synthesized surfactant as a cleansing
agent.