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New phosphate fluorosurfactants for carbon dioxide
Jason S Keiper1, Ruma Simhan, Joseph M DeSimone
1Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institut für Festkörperforschung, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 28, 2002
Summary
Anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants self-assemble into microemulsions in carbon dioxide, enabling substantial water absorption. Small-angle neutron scattering confirmed the formation of nanometer-scale aggregates in these unique surfactant/water/CO2 solutions.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Colloid and surface science
- Green chemistry
Background:
- Fluorosurfactants are crucial for stabilizing non-aqueous systems.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an environmentally friendly solvent with unique properties.
- Microemulsions offer enhanced solubility and reaction environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembly of anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants in CO2.
- To determine the ability of these surfactants to form water-in-CO2 microemulsions.
- To characterize the structure of the formed aggregates.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants with varying chain structures.
- Preparation of microemulsions using water, CO2, and fluorosurfactants.
- Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) for structural analysis.
Main Results:
- Anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants successfully self-assembled in CO2.
- Surfactants with two fluorinated chains or one fluorinated and one hydrocarbon chain facilitated significant water uptake.
- SANS confirmed the formation of nanometer-scale aggregates, indicating microemulsion structures.
Conclusions:
- Anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants are effective in creating water-in-CO2 microemulsions.
- These microemulsions exhibit significant water-carrying capacity in supercritical CO2.
- The study demonstrates a novel approach for utilizing CO2 as a reaction medium.
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