Modeling of multiple equilibria in the self-aggregation of di-n-decyldimethylammonium chloride/octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether/cyclodextrin ternary systems

The surface tension equations of binary surfactant mixtures (di-n-decyldimethylammonium chloride and octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether) are established by combining the Szyszkowski equation of surfactant solutions, the ideal or nonideal mixing theory, and the phase separation model. For surfactant mixtures, the surface tension at the air-water interface is calculated using nonideal theory due to synergism between the two adsorbed surfactant types. The incorporation of cyclodextrin complexation model to the surface tension equations gives a robust model for the description of the surface tension isotherms of binary, ternary, and more complex systems involving numerous inclusion complexes. The surface tension data obtained experimentally shows excellent agreement with the theoretical model below and above the formation of micelles. The strong synergistic effect observed between the two surfactants is disrupted by the presence of CDs, leading to ideal behavior of ternary systems. Indeed, depending on the nature of the cyclodextrin (i.e., α, β, or γ), which allows a tuning of the cavity size, the binding constants with the surfactants are modified as well as the surface properties due to strong modification of equilibria involved in the ternary mixture.