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Interfacial tensions and aggregate structure in C sub 12 E sub 5 /oil/water microemulsion systems

Journal Article · · Langmuir; (USA)
OSTI ID:7201375
The authors present phase boundaries and viscosity, light-scattering, and interfacial tension data for microemulsion systems containing alkane, water, and the nonionic surfactant C{sub 12}E{sub 5}. They interpret the solubilization phase boundaries in terms of the spontaneous curvature of the surfactant monolayer and a critical concentration of surfactant required for microemulsion droplet formation. The viscosity behavior of both the oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions is consistent with the microemulsion droplets being close to spherical and only weakly interacting at the solubilization boundaries. The light-scattering data indicate that interdroplet interactions are weakest at the solubilization boundary. Planar oil/water interfacial tensions measured for Winsor I and II two-phase systems are found to be approximately proportional to the inverse of the square of the equilibrium droplet radius.
OSTI ID:
7201375
Journal Information:
Langmuir; (USA), Journal Name: Langmuir; (USA) Vol. 5:5; ISSN 0743-7463; ISSN LANGD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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