Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
07:42
Green Synthesis, Characterization, Encapsulation, and Measurement of the Release Potential of Novel Alkali Lignin Micro-/Submicron Particles
Published on: March 1, 2024
Aggregation behavior of sodium lignosulfonate in water solution
Xueqing Qiu1, Qian Kong, Mingsong Zhou
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Green Chemical Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510640, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|November 17, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to measure the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of sodium lignosulfonate (SL), finding it to be 0.38 g L(-1). Above this level, SL molecules aggregate to form spherical micelles in water.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Lignosulfonate is a macromolecular surfactant derived from chemical pulping.
- It serves as a crucial interfacial additive in diverse industrial applications.
- Understanding its aggregation behavior is key to optimizing its use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an effective method for determining the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of sodium lignosulfonate (SL).
- To elucidate the aggregation state and dynamics of SL in aqueous solutions.
- To propose a structural model for SL micelles.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of sodium lignosulfonate (SL).
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for observing micelle formation and dynamics.
- Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) for visualizing SL structures in frozen solutions.
Main Results:
- A new effective method determined the CAC of SL to be 0.38 g L(-1).
- Below CAC, SL exists as individual molecules; above CAC, aggregation and micelle formation occur.
- ESEM revealed spherical micelles as the predominant structure, leading to the proposal of a spherical hollow vesicular model.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully established a method for CAC determination of SL.
- The aggregation process of SL in water was detailed, from individual molecules to spherical micelles.
- A spherical hollow vesicular structure is proposed as the model for aggregated SL micelles.
Related Concept Videos
03:00Solubility
Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
01:27Surface Active Agents
Surfactants, named for their behavior at interfaces, positively adsorb at the interfaces of two phases, reducing interfacial tension. Their versatility as emulsifiers, detergents, and foaming agents stems from this ability. Surfactants, often termed amphiphiles, share the property of amphipathy, with molecules having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. The hydrophilic part is called the head, and the hydrophobic part, including an elongated alkyl substituent, forms the tail.Surfactants...
04:01Factors Affecting Solubility
Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
02:55Solubility of Ionic Compounds
Solubility is the measure of the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a given quantity of solvent at a given temperature and pressure. Solubility is usually measured in molarity (M) or moles per liter (mol/L). A compound is termed soluble if it dissolves in water.
03:46Qualitative Analysis
For solutions containing mixtures of different cations, the identity of each cation can be determined by qualitative analysis. This technique involves a series of selective precipitations with different chemical reagents, each reaction producing a characteristic precipitate for a specific group of cations. Metal ions within a group are further separated by varying the pH, heating the mixture to redissolve a precipitate, or adding other reagents to form complex ions.
For instance, group IV...
For instance, group IV...
01:19Ionic Strength: Effects on Chemical Equilibria
The addition of an inert ionic compound increases the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt. For example, adding potassium nitrate to a saturated solution of calcium sulfate significantly enhances the solubility of calcium sulfate. Le Châtelier's principle cannot predict this shift in the equilibrium. Instead, this could be explained in terms of changes in the effective concentration of the ions in solution in the presence of added inert salt.
In this solution, the primary cation—the calcium...
In this solution, the primary cation—the calcium...