Experimental evaluation of cationic-Schiff base surfactants based on 5-chloromethyl salicylaldehyde for improving crude oil recovery and bactericide

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids Vol. 316; p. 113862
• Main Authors: Betiha, Mohamed A., El-Henawy, Samy B., Al-Sabagh, Ahmed M., Negm, Nabel A., Mahmoud, Tahany
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.10.2020
• Subjects: Cationic–Schiff Base surfactant, interfacial tension; EOR; Wettability; Cationic–Schiff Base surfactant, interfacial tension; EOR; Wettability
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.113862

In this study, a new family of cationic and cationic–Schiff Base surfactant was synthesized namely; N-(3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-N, N-dimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride (FHDHAC), (E)-N-(3-((butylimino)methyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-dimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride (4-IMHDAC), (E)-N-(3-((hexylimino)methyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-dimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride (6-IMHDAC) and (E)-N-(4-hydroxy-3-((octylimino) methyl)benzyl)-N,N-dimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride (8-IMHDAC) were prepared from 5-chloromethyl salicylaldehyde compound (5-CMS). The chemical structures of 5-CMS, 4-IMHDAC, 6-IMHDAC, and 8-IMHDAC are characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR instruments. The surface activity measurements of the prepared compounds showed a gradual increase in surface activity by increasing the alkyl chain length. Adsorption and micellization thermodynamic functions revealed the higher tendencies of the different surfactants towards adsorption at the organic/polar phase. The synthesized surfactants were evaluated in the enhanced oil recovery process and showed excellent efficiency (63.98%, 71.25%, and 75.72% for 4-IMHDAC, 6-IMHDAC, and 8-IMHDAC, respectively) during the recovery process near their critical micelle concentrations. The prepared surfactants showed high antimicrobial efficacy against different bacteria and fungi. •Three positively charged surface-active agents were synthesized.•Gradual increase in surface activity was increased by increase of chain length.•Adsorption thermodynamic functions showed high tendency towards adsorption.•The surfactants showed good efficiency in oil recovery.•The surfactants showed high antimicrobial efficacy against bacteria and fungi.