Partial phase behavior of ionic microemulsions stabilized by sodium dodecylsulfate and alcohol cosurfactants

• Ionic microemulsions, stabilized by sodium dodecylsulfate and alcohol cosurfactants, have been characterized with respect to phase behavior, particularly the composition of the different phases in Winsor type I, II and III systems. The system containing brine, octane, sodium dodecylsulfate and 1-butanol shows a regular phase behavior, in conformity with the anticipated behavior, i.e., 2-3-2 phases. The phase transitions with increasing 1-butanol concentration are analogous to those occurring with increasing salinity, when compared with previous investigations. For the system containing brine, cyclohexane, sodium dodecylsulfate and benzyl alcohol, the behavior becomes more complex, even at low surfactant contents. The transitions are 2-3-2-3-2 phases over a wide composition range. The compositions of the phases at equilibrium are discussed in relation to structural considerations, as determined by conductivity and NMR self-diffusion measurements.

Keyword

Microemulsion

partial phase equilibria

surfactant partition

cosurfactant partition

sodium dodecylsulfate

1-butanol

benzyl alcohol

conductivity

NMR self-diffusion

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)