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State of solution of aerosol OT in nonaqueous solvents

Journal Article · · J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States)
Although solutions of detergents and soaps in nonaqueous solvents have long been of practical and theoretical interest, their exact nature remains poorly understood. Detergents in nonaqueous solvent typically form micelles, as in water, but the micelles are usually inverted, with the polar heads of the detergent molecules packed together to form a polar central core, surrounded and shielded by the hydrocarbon tails. The state of solution of Aerosol OT (di-2-ethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate) was investigated in various nonaqueous solvents with the use of ultracentrifugation, light scattering, and viscometric techniques. Solvents included n-hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dibromide, t-amyl alcohol, and methanol. A brief study was also made of Aerosol TR (di tridecyl sodium sulfosuccinate) in n-dodecane. Micelles were found in all solvents except methanol, varying in size with solvent character. Differences in shape and size of micelles resulted from the presence of very minor amounts of an impurity in the original Aerosol OT. The micellar weight appeared to relate more directly to the molal volume solvent than to the solubility parameter. (20 refs.)
Research Organization:
American Oil Co
OSTI ID:
5517744
Journal Information:
J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States) Vol. 29:1; ISSN JCISA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English