Physicochemical studies on microemulsions

Both volume- and temperature-induced percolation of conductance of w/o microemulsions formed with AOT in cyclic aliphatic and aromatic oils (cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, toluene, and xylenes), and volume percolation of water/AOT/oil systems using linear aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, i-octane, and n-decane) have been studied. The effect of additives, viz. sodium cholate (NaC), sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), cholesterol, n-butanol, and t-butanol, toluene, and xylenes (o, m, and p) on the temperature-induced percolating processes using the oils cyclohexane and cyclohexanone has been examined. The percolation results have been analyzed in the light of scaling equation, and the energy of activation of the ion-transport phenomenon has been evaluated for both pre- and postpercolation stages. From the percolation data, the diameter of the microdispersed water droplets, their population, and surface area have been estimated. The enthalpy of dispersion of water in AOT/oil medium has been determined from isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) measurements.