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Phase behavior and microstructure of C12E5 nonionic microemulsions with chlorinated oils
G Roshan Deen1, Jan Skov Pedersen
1Department of Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), University of Aarhus, Langelandsgade 140, Aarhus C, Denmark. roshan@chem.au.dk
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 1, 2008
Summary
New microemulsions using chlorinated alkanes were studied. These oils lower the balance temperature and affect droplet size, offering insights into surfactant film penetration and spontaneous curvature.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Non-ionic microemulsions are versatile systems with applications in various industries.
- Understanding their phase behavior is crucial for optimizing their performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase behavior of microemulsions formed with pentaethyleneglycol dodecyl ether, water, and a homologous series of 1-chloroalkanes.
- To determine the influence of chlorinated alkanes on microemulsion properties compared to their n-alkane counterparts.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of non-ionic microemulsions.
- Phase behavior determination using vertical sections of the Gibbs' phase prism ('fish' plots).
- Analysis of microemulsion droplet size and shape using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
Main Results:
- Chlorinated alkanes lowered the microemulsion balance temperature (T(0)) by approximately 14°C compared to n-alkanes, indicating their polar nature and surfactant film penetration.
- Surfactant efficiency (phi*) and monomeric solubility in oil (phi(mon,oil)) decreased with increasing 1-chloroalkane chain length.
- Microemulsion droplets exhibited ellipsoidal shapes, and their size increased with longer 1-chloroalkane chain lengths.
Conclusions:
- Chlorinated alkanes act as short n-alkane molecules, reducing the spontaneous curvature of microemulsion droplets.
- The study provides valuable data on the impact of oil polarity and chain length on microemulsion phase behavior and structure.
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