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Stability of C(12)E(j) Bilayers Probed with Adhesive Droplets
Ksenia Astafyeva1, Wladimir Urbach1,2, Nabil Garroum1
1†Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université, and Université Paris Diderot, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, F-75005 Paris, France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 3, 2015
Summary
Poly(ethylene glycol) mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12Ej) surfactants form stable bilayers, with C12E2 showing broad stability. Other C12Ej surfactants either formed short-lived bilayers or caused emulsion phase inversion.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Surfactant bilayers are crucial in stabilizing emulsions and interfaces.
- Poly(ethylene glycol) mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12Ej) surfactants offer tunable properties for interfacial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability of model surfactant bilayers formed by C12Ej family members.
- To understand the relationship between C12Ej structure and bilayer formation/stability.
- To explore phase behavior and emulsion stability with varying C12Ej surfactants.
Main Methods:
- Formation of water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions using C12Ej surfactants in a silicone and octane oil mixture.
- Microfluidic techniques to study the stability of surfactant bilayers.
- Phase diagram analysis and surfactant titration experiments.
Main Results:
- C12E1 formed only short-lived bilayers.
- C12E2 demonstrated stable bilayers across a wide range of oil mixtures, exhibiting a two-phase region with Janus-like particles at high concentrations.
- C12E8 and C12E25 induced phase inversion to oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions.
- Intermediate surfactants C12E4 and C12E5 resulted in unstable w/o and o/w emulsions.
Conclusions:
- Bilayer stability is highly dependent on the ethylene oxide chain length (Ej) of C12Ej surfactants.
- C12E2 is a promising surfactant for forming stable bilayers in specific oil mixtures.
- Surfactant titration can predict the stability behavior of mixed surfactant systems.
