The mechanism of sonochemical degradation of a cationic surfactant in aqueous solution

Abstract

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 pyri..