LAUSR

Abstract In this study, aggregation, air/solvent interfacial surfaces and thermodynamic characteristics of the mixture of antidepressant drug imipramine hydrochloride (IMP) and ester-bonded gemini surfactant (ethane-1, 2-diyl bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-cetylammoniumacetoxy) dichloride (16-E2-16)) with different mole fractions (α1) of 16-E2-16 were explored through tensiometry technique at a temperature of 298.15 K. IMP is used to treat depression (antidepressant). The effect of several solvents (50 mmol·kg−1 NaCl, 500 mmol·kg−1 urea (U), and 500 mmol·kg−1 thiourea (TU)) other than the aqueous system on the interaction between IMP and 16-E2-16 were also explored. In aqueous system, the interactions between IMP and 16-E2-16 were estimated using UV–visible and FT-IR spectroscopy. Although the 16-E2-16 surfactant is biodegradable and IMP is used to treat depression, both ingredients are cationic. Tensiometric measurements that attained the critical micelle concentration (cmc) value of mixtures (IMP + 16-E2-16) were significantly less compared with the ideal cmc (cmcid) value. This confirmed a fair interaction between IMP and 16-E2-16 and that the interaction rises through a surge in α1 of 16-E2-16. In NaCl solvent, the attained cmc values of entire pure and mixed systems were less than with the aqueous system, whereas in U or TU solvent, the respective systems cmc values were more than with the aqueous system. U was found to be less effective than TU. Diverse parameters of aggregation and air/solvent interfacial and thermodynamic characteristics have been determined using Clint, Motomura, Rubingh, Rosen, etc. theoretical models. The activity coefficients parameter of micellar on air/solvent interfacial surfaces were regularly below 1 for each component, demonstrating the intermolecular interaction among components and non-ideal behavior of the mixed system. Akin to the tensiometric technique, UV–visible and FT-IR examination characterize the straightforward interaction between IMP and 16-E2-16. Overall, the obtained outcomes indicate an open method to design ester-bonded gemini surfactants to be proficient ingredients for the drug delivery vehicle.