Abstract:

Gemini surfactants contain two hydrophilic and two hydrophobic groups connected by a linkage close to the hydrophilic groups. Gemini surfactants have lower critical micelle concentration, higher surface activity, greater efficiency in decreasing the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension between water and oil, and better water solubility than conventional surfactants. Gemini surfactants are widely used as sterilizing, bacteriostatic, anti-foaming, and drug release agents in various enterprises including food production and industrial cleaning. They, therefore, play a very important social, economic, and industrial role. This paper briefly summarizes gemini surfactant development, structure, self-assembly, activity, classification, and characteristics, as well as focuses on the antibacterial mechanisms of these compounds. It is expected that the antibacterial properties of gemini surfactants may help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Key words: Gemini surfactants, Antibacterial, 2019-nCoV