School of Chemistry - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11343/300

Filters

2011 1
Reset filters

Settings
Statistics
Citations
Type: Journal Article × Author: Ashokkumar, Muthupandian × Subject: Physical Chemistry of Materials; Expanding Knowledge in the Chemical Sciences ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    The mechanism of sonochemical degradation of a cationic surfactant in aqueous solution
    Singla, R ; Grieser, F ; Ashokkumar, M (ELSEVIER, 2011-03-01)
    The sonochemical degradation of the cationic surfactant, laurylpyridinium chloride (LPC), in water was studied at concentrations of 0.1-0.6 mM, all below its critical micelle concentration (15 mM). It has been found that the initial step in the degradation of LPC occurs primarily by a pyrolysis pathway. Chemical analysis of sonicated solutions by gas chromatography, electrospray mass spectrometry, and high performance liquid chromatography reveals that a broad range of decomposition products, hydrocarbon gases and water-soluble species, are produced. Propionamide and acetamide were identified as two of the degradation intermediates and probably formed as the result of the opening of the pyridinium ring following OH radical addition. Most of the LPC is eventually converted into carboxylic acids. The complete mineralization of these carboxylic acids by sonolysis is however a comparatively slow process due to the hydrophilic nature of these low molecular weight products.