Role of the cationic headgroup to conformational changes undergone by shorter alkyl chain surfactant and water molecules at the air-liquid interface

摘要

Hypothesis: Surfactants are commonly used as corrosion inhibitors for oil-and-gas pipelines. The alkyl chain of surfactants and their overall conformation contributes to the adsorption, flotation, and foam separation in the inhibition process. We hypothesize that the conformation of shorter alkyl chains and chemical nature of surfactants has an effect on the ordering of water molecules at the air-water interface which is not yet well understood.