CMC studies of CTAB, SLS & tween 80 by spectral and conductivity methodology to explore its potential in photogalvanic cell

Abstract

In the present article, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, cationic), sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS, anionic) and tween 80 (nonionic) surfactants has been studied in the presence and absence of methylene blue (MB) dye via spectral and conductometric studies. The magnitude of CMC value of SLS was decreased in large amount in presence of MB due to the cationic and anionic (electrostatic) interaction, while a little bit decrement was obtained with tween 80 and no remarkable change was obtained with CTAB. Since, both the observed values with conductometric and spectral studies supports each other and also founds that the CMC value of SLS and CTAB with MB dye was almost similar to the reported resultant concentration of SLS and CTAB at which the maximum electrical out put was obtained for diffrent dye-reductant-surfactant systems in photogalvanic cells. Therefore, the surfactant (SLS) whose CMC value is more affected in the presence of cationic dye (MB) may be more useful in the photogalvanic cell with suitable reductant. Hence, with this study, the micellar concentration of surfactants can evaluate and dye-surfactant combination in which CMC of surfactant is more affected in presence of dye can be utilized to enhance the overall electrical performance of the photogalvanic cells. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.