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Published on: March 18, 2020
Super-efficient surfactant for stabilizing water-in-carbon dioxide microemulsions
Masanobu Sagisaka1, Shuho Iwama, Satoshi Hasegawa
1Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan. sagisaka@cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp
This study demonstrates a novel fluorinated surfactant stabilizing water-in-supercritical CO2 microemulsions with record-high water content. These findings advance the potential for using supercritical CO2 in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Water-in-supercritical CO2 microemulsions are crucial for green chemistry applications.
- Stabilizing these microemulsions with high water content remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase stability and nanostructure of water-in-supercritical CO2 microemulsions stabilized by a novel fluorinated surfactant.
- To determine the maximum water solubilization capacity of the surfactant.
Main Methods:
- High-pressure UV-vis spectroscopy using methyl orange as a dye probe.
- Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) for nanostructure analysis.
Main Results:
- The fluorinated surfactant, sodium 1,5-bis[(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)oxy]-1,5-dioxopentane-2-sulfonate (8FG(EO)(2)), stabilized microemulsions with a maximum water-to-surfactant molar ratio (W(0)) of 60.
- UV-vis and SANS data confirmed droplet swelling and a linear relationship between water core radius and W(0).
- Achieved the highest water solubilization reported for water-in-CO2 microemulsions.
Conclusions:
- The novel fluorinated surfactant exhibits exceptional ability to stabilize water-in-supercritical CO2 microemulsions.
- The findings suggest potential for advanced applications utilizing supercritical CO2 as a solvent.
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