Unique Micellization and CMC Aspects of Gemini Surfactant: An Overview

Abstract

Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is an essential fundamental property of surfactant molecules, as the CMC value provides significant information regarding the surfactant for industrial use. The industrial efficacy of surfactant molecules totally depends on its CMC value. Without a complete perceptive approach of CMC, it is impractical to employ surfactant molecules efficiently. This article provides an elaborate discussion of dimeric gemini surfactant and pays particular attention to the aggregation behavior, that is, micelle formation, CMC, and thermodynamics of micellization. Micelles structures, packing parameters, and properties of the micelles are summarized. The principles and techniques involved in the determination of CMC are discussed. Thermodynamics of micellization of dimeric surfactants including free energy, enthalpy, and entropy is successively reviewed. Superiority of gemini surfactant in respect of their CMC values is interpreted.