Data analysis of sugar-based surfactant properties : towards quantitative structure property relationships

Since the beginning of 20th century, numerous experimental studies have been conducted on surfactants. Tabulated properties, such as Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC), Krafft Temperature (Tk), equilibrium surface tension (Yeq), Efficiency (pC20) or Cloud Temperature (Tc) can be found in reference textbooks [1]. Progress of experimental investigations and modern instantaneous internet access to a large part of relevant scientific literature makes now possible to gather a widespread amount of data. Because of such large availability of data, it is now relevant to focus on particular families, in order to obtain a reliable overview of such properties and their evolution with gradual variation of surfactant molecular structure. To exemplify this, an extensive database has been constituted for amphiphilic physicochemical properties of sugar-based surfactants. Four important properties characterizing this family of surfactants were selected: CMC, Tk, Yeq, and pC20. For the three first properties, data concerning approximately 300 molecules were found. This data collection can be used to : Quickly find useful data characterizing aqueous solutions of sugar-based surfactants ; Quickly evaluate if experimental data are missing ; Establish predictive models, including Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) models. A literature review on existing QSPR models for surfactants properties showed that only 10 models, concerning CMC, are relevant to sugar-based surfactants. The most statistically significant model [2] was tested for an extensive set of 271 sugar based surfactants. The results suggest that there is still room for improvement by focusing on particular families and using more extensive databases. Work is currently in progress in our laboratories to develop such models. This work was performed, in partnership with the SAS PIVERT, within the frame of the French Institute for the Energy Transition (Institut pour la Transition Energétique - ITE) P.I.V.E.R.T. (www.institut-pivert.com) selected as an Investment for the Future (“Investissements d’Avenir”). This work was supported, as part of the Investments for the Future, by the French Government under the reference ANR-001-01