Synthesis and application feasibility study of cetyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate

To improve the insufficient performance of anion on cationic surfactants and to further study the influence of anion on the surface properties, a cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, CTATS) was prepared, and the relevant surface properties, including surface tension, critical micelle concentration, foaming ability and stability, corrosion inhibition and oil displacement efficiency were studied. Compared to cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), CTATS exhibited higher surface activity, lower foaming volume, higher foam stability, higher corrosion inhibition performance and oil displacement efficiency. The results indicate that the CTATS has better performances as a surfactant type in oil and gas fields.