Process Intensification of PEG ‐Based Gemini Surfactants: Spacer Length, Alkyl Chain Length, and Halide (Cl/Br) on Textile Performance

ABSTRACT

In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and textile application performances of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based next generation Gemini surfactants of the type C _m ‐PEGn(Cl/Br)Es‐C _m were investigated. Both conventional and microwave (MW) assisted methods were employed during the synthesis step and subsequently compared. It was determined that the MW method significantly reduced the reaction time (by approximately 50%) and enhanced efficiency. Structural verification of the synthesized compounds was conducted using FTIR, ¹ H NMR, and TGA analyses. In the physicochemical investigations of the synthesized Gemini surfactants, the effects of hydrophobic tail length (C ₁₂ –C ₁₈ ) and hydrophilic spacer distance (PEG200–400) on the critical micelle concentration (CMC) were examined. The lowest CMC value of 4 mM was obtained with the long‐chain hydrophobic derivatives. In textile applications, the crease recovery angle (CRA) values imparted to the fabric by the synthesized Gemini surfactants through padding and exhaustion methods were measured. The results indicate that increasing hydrophobicity and decreasing spacer chain length significantly enhance the CRA performance as a mathematical representation of fabric hand in both the weft and warp directions of the fabric. These findings demonstrate that the developed Gemini surfactants have the potential to be utilized as functional softeners in textile finishing processes.