Computer simulation of surfactant solutions

Major advances have been made at several levels of computer simulation of surfactant solutions. Atomistic level studies of preassembled surfactant structures have become fairly routine. The development of structure in surfactant solutions has now been studied using atomistic, coarse grain and mesoscopic models. Coarse grain and mesoscopic simulations have been used to determine phase diagrams. The challenges involved in treating complex surfactant solutions will continue to drive this field forward.     

Premicellar and micelle formation behavior of dye surfactant ion pairs in aqueous solutions: deprotonation of dye in ion pair micelles

The premicellar and micelle formation behavior of dye surfactant ion pairs in aqueous solutions monitored by surface tension and spectroscopic measurements has been described. The measurements have been made for three anionic sulfonephthalein dyes and cationic surfactants of different chain lengths, head groups, and counterions. The observations have been attributed to the formation of closely packed dye surfactant ion pairs which is similar to nonionic surfactants in very dilute concentrations of the surfactant. These ion pairs dominate in the monolayer at the air-water interface of the aqueous dye surfactant solutions below the CMC of the pure surfactant. It has been shown that the dye in the ion pair deprotonates on micelle formation by the ion pair surfactants at near CMC but submicellar surfactant concentrations. The results of an equilibrium study at varying pH agree with the model of deprotonated 1:1 dye-surfactant ion pair formation in the near CMC submicellar solutions. At concentrations above the CMC of the cationic surfactant the dye is solubilized in normal micelles and the monolayer at the air-water interface consists of the cationic surfactant alone even in the presence of the dyes.     

Surfactant-doped reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display with enhanced properties

In this article, a nonionic surfactant Brij30 has been used to vertical align the negative anisotropic liquid crystal. The surfactant is further used in reverse-mode polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display to enhance the electro-optical properties. This work shows an enhancement of contrast ratio simply with the addition of surfactant. In addition, contact angle and surface free energies have been determined to judge the role of surfactant in control of surface orientation of liquid crystal molecules.     

Reactive Surfactant in the Emulsion Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Octyl Acrylate

The emulsion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and octyl acrylate was studied using a reactive surfactant ammonium sulfate allyloxy nonylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy) (10) ether (DNS‐86), and a conventional surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS) with a similar structure as a comparison sample. A series of latex samples have been prepared with two kinds of surfactants, and their properties have been characterized and compared. ¹H‐NMR proves that the reactive surfactant has been incorporated into the resulting copolymers. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) proves that the reactive surfactant DNS‐86 migrate to the surface of the latex film to a much less degree than the conventional surfactant DBS. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrates that there are some differences in the particle morphologies. The stability and water‐resistance of the latex films prepared by reactive surfactant DNS‐86 are better than those prepared by the conventional surfactant DBS.     

Poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) cation-zwitterionic surfactant complexes

The interaction between poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) and a zwitterionic surfactant has been studied in the presence of a low-molecular-mass electrolyte, sodium bromide. Both soluble and insoluble complexes have been formed. There are two essential differences between interactions of the polycation with the zwitterionic surfactant and of polycations with anionic surfacants: interaction between the polycation and the zwitterionic surfactant may proceed only in the presence of low-molecular-mass electrolytes, while interaction between the polycation and the zwitterionic surfactant in the presence of sodium bromide may take place only at surfactant concentrations above the CMC.     

Surfactant equilibria and its impact on penetration into stratum corneum

Anionic surfactant penetration into the skin and their subsequent interactions with stratum corneum lipids and proteins has historically been linked with irritation and dryness from the use of soaps, body washes, facial cleansers, shampoos, and other rinse-off personal care products. Mechanisms of surfactant penetration into the skin surface has been a topic of debate for decades. In this review, we discuss relevant theories of surfactant penetration into skin as well as interactions of surfactants with skin components. We present evidence that thermodynamic analyses of surfactant solution equilibria can be useful in modeling these behaviors. A theory of surfactant monomer penetration into stratum corneum is proposed.     

Absorption spectra of 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane in micellar solutions.

The absorption spectra of 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) with nonionic surfactant. Triton X-100, anionic surfactant, SLS and cationic surfactant, CTAB in aqueous and nonaqueous media have been studied. The spectral studies show that TCNQ forms 1:1 charge-transfer (CT) complex with Triton X-100 in both media. The aqueous solution of TCNQ shows an absorption maxima at 610 nm, which is unperturbed in the presence of SLS but is shifted to 650 nm in the presence of CTAB, indicating the interaction of TCNQ with the cationic surfactant and not with the anionic surfactant. In addition to this, the stability of TCNQ-Triton X-100 complex has been determined and the probable site of CT interaction has been pointed out.     

FTIR-ATR spectroscopic determination of the distribution of surfactants in latex films

FTIR-ATR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red-Attenuated Total Reflection) has been used to analyze the surface composition of coalesced acrylic latex films. The behavior of two anionic surfactants has been characterized. It has been found that surfactant distribution depends on the nature of the surfactant. A comparison between the normalized absorbance in transmission and in reflection has shown an enrichment of surfactants at the surfaces of films with a coalescence time of 3 days. The surfactant concentration at the film-air interface is higher than at the film substrate interface. A concentration gradient exists through the film thickness. In addition, the incompatible surfactant migrates towards the interface as coalescence proceeds.     

Surfactant-selective electrodes : Part III. Evaluation of a dodecyl sulphate electrode in surfactant solutions containing polymers and a protein

An electrode, selective to the dodecyl sulphate anion, has been evaluated for use in surfactant solutions containing polymers and a protein. Results obtained with the electrode have been used directly to construct surfactant ion binding isotherms which show similar regions of change to those previously established in the literature by indirect methods. It is shown that when equilibrium dialysis measurements are used to construct surfactant anion binding isotherms, it is only in the presence of a swamping amount of common cation that this method gives a true indication of the unbound surfactant ion concentration.     

Removal of Disperse Dyes from Water Using Surfactant Treated Alumina

An alumina surface was modified by adsorption of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Typical S‐shaped isotherm of surfactant on alumina was observed. The adsorption of Disperse Red‐11, Disperse Blue‐26 and Disperse Red‐156 on alumina and surfactant treated alumina has been investigated. The enhancement in adsorption of these disperse dyes on surfactant treated alumina is observed, which may be attributed to their solubilization in surfactant aggregates formed at the solid/liquid interface. The effect of pH on adsorption has been studied. The adsorption is greatly influenced by pH of the medium. The applicability of the Langmuir model and the Dual‐Mode sorption model (DSM) were tested for equilibrium data.     

Aggregation work at polydisperse micellization: ideal solution and "dressed micelle" models comparing to molecular dynamics simulations

General thermodynamic relations for the work of polydisperse micelle formation in the model of ideal solution of molecular aggregates in nonionic surfactant solution and the model of "dressed micelles" in ionic solution have been considered. In particular, the dependence of the aggregation work on the total concentration of nonionic surfactant has been analyzed. The analogous dependence for the work of formation of ionic aggregates has been examined with regard to existence of two variables of a state of an ionic aggregate, the aggregation numbers of surface active ions and counterions. To verify the thermodynamic models, the molecular dynamics simulations of micellization in nonionic and ionic surfactant solutions at two total surfactant concentrations have been performed. It was shown that for nonionic surfactants, even at relatively high total surfactant concentrations, the shape and behavior of the work of polydisperse micelle formation found within the model of the ideal solution at different total surfactant concentrations agrees fairly well with the numerical experiment. For ionic surfactant solutions, the numerical results indicate a strong screening of ionic aggregates by the bound counterions. This fact as well as independence of the coefficient in the law of mass action for ionic aggregates on total surfactant concentration and predictable behavior of the "waterfall" lines of surfaces of the aggregation work upholds the model of "dressed" ionic aggregates.     

扩张流变法研究表面活性剂在界面上的聚集行为

近年发展起来的界面流变测定技术在研究界面性质方面具有许多独特之处.本文结合我们的工作,总结了近年来有关该技术在表面活性剂界面聚集行为研究中的应用,讨论了扩张频率、表面活性剂浓度及疏水链长、无机盐和温度对表面扩张流变行为的影响,同时探讨了小分子表面活性剂与高分子表面活性剂表面扩张流变行为的区别以及小分子表面活性剂在气/液界面与液/液表面的扩张流变性的差异.大量研究表明,借助于界面流变性的测定不仅可以研究发生在界面上和界面附近的微观弛豫过程,而且可以探讨界面上超分子聚集体的形成,进而为乳状液和泡沫等分散体系的稳定性提供依据.     

Electrochemical studies on surfactant-modified cellulose acetate membrane

The possibility of electrochemical modification of cellulose acetate membrane upon immobilization of the anionic surfactant (SDS) has been explored on the basis of membrane potential studies. Surface tension measurements with and without cellulose acetate membrane were carried out to ascertain the extent of immobilization of the surfactant. Cellulose acetate membrane practically does not exhibit any ion selectivity. However, modified membrane exhibits cation selectivity which varies with concentration of the surfactant till its critical micelle concentration is reached. An attempt has also been made to demonstrate correspondence between the immobilized surfactant and the permselectivity of the membrane.     

Studies on the interaction of bacterial capsular polysaccharide- Klebsiella K16 with cationic and mixed surfactants

The spectral studies of cationic dyes, pinacyanol chloride (PCYN) and acridine orange (AO) with capsular polysaccharide Klebsiella K16 (PK16) biopolymer in micellar media reveal many interesting phenomena. Intensity of the metachromatic band (μ) at 490 nm decreases gradually on addition of cationic single surfactant to the biopolymer PK16–dye system of P/D = 30, whereas the intensity of α and β bands reach to the value of original pure dye. As a result, the cationic surfactant destroys the metachromatic compound and forms a new complex with biopolymer PK16 by freeing the dye molecule. Enhancement of fluorescence intensity of AO-PK16 system with cationic surfactant is another evidence for the binding between the biopolymer and the surfactant. Interaction between the biopolymer and mixed surfactant has also been studied. Finally, the binding ability of cationic surfactants with or without non ionic surfactant, the idea of the critical aggregation concentration (cac) of the surfactant, mole fraction and the charge density of mixed surfactant for binding with PK16 and also the site of interaction have been pointed out.     

Anionic gemini surfactant viz. sodium salt of bis(1-dodecenylsuccinamic acid); synthesis,surface properties and micellar effect on oxidation of reducing sugars by hexacyanoferrate(III)

An anionic gemini surfactant viz. sodium salt of bis(1-dodecenylsuccinamic acid) has been synthesized. Conductivity and surface tension measurements were performed in order to characterize the synthesized surfactant. The foaming power and contact angle have also been determined. Micellar effect of synthesized gemini surfactant on the rate of oxidation of reducing sugars (viz. glucose, fructose and xylose) by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III) has been studied in the temperature range (40–60 °C). It has been observed that reducing sugar associates/binds with surfactant micelle to form mixed aggregate which is resistant to react with hexacyanoferrate(III). The binding parameters have also been evaluated using Menger and Portnoy model.     

Interfacial Behavior,Structure, and Thermodynamics of Water in Oil Microemulsion Formation in Relation to the Variation of Surfactant Head Group and Cosurfactant

Interfacial behavior, structural, and thermodynamic parameters in relation to the formation of water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion (μE) with varied surfactant head groups and cosurfactants have been evaluated through dilution technique at different temperature and [water]/[surfactant] mole ratio. Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20) were used as surfactants and n-butanol and n-pentanol were used as cosurfactants. Distribution of cosurfactants between bulk oil and the interface using fixed amount of surfactant at varied [water]/[surfactant] mole ratio and temperature has been studied to evaluate thermodynamic parameters. Associated structural parameters, such as droplet dimension and aggregation number of surfactant and cosurfactant at the droplet interface, have also been evaluated. Spontaneity of the μE formation followed the order DTAB>SDS>Tween-20 for both butanol and pentanol in the studied range of temperature. Correlations of the results in terms of the evaluated physicochemical parameters have been attempted.     

Adsorption and self-assembly of surfactant/supercritical CO2 systems in confined pores: a molecular dynamics simulation

A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation has been carried out to study the adsorption and self-organization for a model surfactant/supercritical CO2 system confined in the slit-shape nanopores with amorphous silica-like surfaces. The solid surfaces were designed to be CO2-philic and CO2-phobic, respectively. For the CO2-philic surface, obviously surface adsorption is observed for the surfactant molecules. The various energy profiles were used to monitor the lengthy dynamics process of the adsorption and self-assembly for surfactant micelles or monomers in the confined spaces. The equilibrium properties, including the morphologies and micelle-size distributions of absorbed surfactants, were evaluated based on the equilibrium trajectory data. The interaction between the surfactant and the surface produces an obvious effect on the dynamics rate of surfactant adsorption and aggregation, as well as the final self-assembly equilibrium structures of the adsorbed surfactants. However, for the CO2-phobic surfaces, there are scarcely adsorption layers of surfactant molecules, meaning that the CO2-phobic surface repels the surfactant molecules. It seems to conclude that the CO2 solvent depletion near the interfaces determines the surface repellence to the surfactant molecules. The effect of the CO2-phobic surface confinement on the surfactant micelle structure in the supercritical CO2 has also been discussed. In summary, this study on the microscopic behaviors of surfactant/Sc-CO2 in confined pores will help to shed light on the surfactant self-assembly from the Sc-CO2 fluid phase onto solid surfaces and nanoporous media.     

The Synergistic Effect of a Mixed Surfactant (Tween 80 and SDBS) on Wettability Alteration of the Oil Wet Quartz Surface

The synergistic effect of a new combination of Tween 80 and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) surfactants has been studied for wettability alteration of a reservoir rock. The contact angle decreased substantially for the aqueous solution of the mixed surfactant on a crude oil aged quartz substrate when compared to water and individual surfactants viz. SDBS and Tween 80. This established synergism between anionic and non-ionic surfactants. The optimal salinity for reduction of the contact angle has been figured out. The rheological effect of the mixed surfactant solution on the wettability alteration has been investigated. Adsorption of crude components at the solid–fluid interfaces has been observed to visualize the activity at the micro scale. Quantification of adsorption for the mixed surfactant on sand has been studied to meet the economical aspect. Reaction aspects of the mixed surfactant–quartz–crude oil system have been interpreted from FTIR. Functional groups present in the system have also been enquired.     

On the mechanism of surfactant adsorption on solid surfaces: free-energy investigations

The adsorption free-energy of surfactant on solid surfaces has been calculated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for a model surfactant/solvent system. The umbrella-sampling with the weight histogram analysis method (WHAM) was applied. The entropic and enthalpic contributions to the full potential of mean force (PMF) were obtained to evaluate the detailed thermodynamics of surfactant adsorption in solid/liquid interfaces. Although we observed that this surfactant adsorption process is driven mainly by a favorable enthalpy change, a highly unfavorable entropic contribution still existed. By decomposing the free energy (including its entropic and enthalpic components) into the solvent-induced contribution and the surfactant-wall term, the effect of surface and solvent on the adsorption free-energy has been distinguished. The contribution to the PMF from the surface effect is thermodynamically favorable, whereas the solvent term displays an obviously unfavorable component with a monotonic increase as the surfactant approaches to the surface. The impact of various interactions from the surfaces (both solvent-philic and solvent-phobic) and the solvent on the adsorption PMF of surfactant has been compared and discussed. Compared to the solvent-philic surface, the solvent-phobic surface generates more stable site for the surfactant adsorption. However, the full PMF profile for the solvent-phobic system shows a clear positive maximum value at the bulk-interface transition region, which leads to a considerable long-range free-energy barrier to the surfactant adsorption. These results have been analyzed in terms of the local interfacial structures. In summary, this comprehensive study is expected to reveal the microscopic interaction mechanisms determining the surfactant adsorption on solid surfaces.     

Influence of the interfacial adsorptions on the imbibition of aqueous solutions of low concentration of the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 into calcium fluoride porous medium

The imbibition of aqueous solution of Triton X-100 in porous columns of calcium fluoride has been carried out in order to investigate the surfactant influence on the capillary rise. Experiments have consisted of the measurement of the increase in the weight of the porous columns caused by the imbibition of the solutions. From their analysis, it has been found that the capillary rise velocity does not depend on the surfactant concentration, and that imbibition of these solutions behaves as in the case of water. This unexpected finding can not be attributed to depletion of the surfactant molecules from the advancing meniscus, since this effect can not be caused by the adsorption at the solid. This lack of surfactant adsorption on the solid is precisely the reason that justifies the observed behaviour. So, it has been proved that the driving force for the capillary rise movement will remain unaltered despite the surfactant addition whenever the free energies of the solid interfaces are not modified by the adsorption on the solid. Therefore, it is concluded from this study that only if adsorption on the solid happened, the imbibition could be influenced by the surfactant concentration.