Langmuir, Vol.12, No.26, 6326-6335, 1996
Nonionic Cosurfactants in AOT Reversed Micelles - Effect on Percolation, Size, and Solubilization Site
The effect of nonionic cosurfactants on AOT reversed micellar interface and micelle/micelle intel actions was studied. The change on the percolating temperature induced by these cosurfactants was determined for several water contents, micelle concentration, and cosurfactant type and concentration. Two types of cosurfactants were used, linear chained alkyl alcohols and poly(oxyethylene) alkyl ethers (C(i)E(j)). If an alcohol was added to the microemulsion, a shift in percolation to higher temperature was observed. The opposite was observed for the C(i)E(j). The apparent hydrodynamic radius For the same systems Mras determined using dynamic Light scattering. The apparent hydrodynamic radius of the alcohol-containing microemulsions was only slightly dependent on the concentration and chain size of the alcohol. The C(i)E(j) had the opposite effect, the apparent hydrodynamic radius increased for bigger head group sizes and higher concentrations. These results were interpreted in terms of a decrease or an increase of the fluidity of the interface layer. A solubilization site for the cosurfactants is proposed based on this interpretation of the results. Using the experimental results and an association model, the clustering enthalpy and entropy were determined. The clustering process Ras found to be endothermic and entropically driven.
Keywords:IN-OIL MICROEMULSIONS;LIGHT-SCATTERING;MICRO-EMULSIONS;CATIONIC SURFACTANTS;AROMATIC SOLVENTS;TERNARY WATER;AEROSOL-OT;DROPLETS;SYSTEM;POLYDISPERSITY