Synthesis of an Amino acid-based Surfactant Using a New Synthetic Method and Its CMC Determination

In most of the surfactant-based petroleum applications, critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of the surfactant is generally utilized as the optimized concentration. On the other hand, most of the synthetic surfactants utilized in oil industry are not environmentally-friendly and can therefore contaminate the environment. In this study, using a new synthetic method, an amino acid-based surfactant which is environmentally friendly, was synthesized. The product was confirmed using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Electrical conductivity and solution pH measurements were used to determine CMC. A CMC value of 7500-8000 ppm was observed which can further be utilized as a reference concentration in feasible chemical enhanced oil recovery.

Keywords:

critical micelle concentration , surfactant , synthesis , amino-acid