Dilution method study on the interfacial composition and structural parameters of water/C12–EOxEOx–C12⋅2Br/n-hexanol/n-heptane microemulsions: Effect of the oxyethylene groups in the spacer

The interfacial composition and the structure of the water/C12–EOxEOx–C12⋅2Br/n-hexanol/n-heptane microemulsion have been investigated by the dilution method. The results showed that C12–EOxEOx–C12⋅2Br formed a stable water/oil microemulsion with the assistance of n-hexanol. Owing to the relatively large size of the head group, more n-hexanol molecules are populated on the droplet surface than in the C12–2–C12⋅2Br system. The radius of the water pool of the C12–EO3–C12⋅2Br system is not as sensitive to W0W0 as in the C12–2–C12⋅2Br system. Another feature of the present system is that its droplet size is considerably smaller than that of the C12–2–C12⋅2Br system, and also those of the CPC and CTAB systems at relative high water content. This provides a potential application for the synthesis of nanoparticles with small size.

Graphical abstractC12–EOxEOx–C12⋅2Br forms a stable w/o microemulsion with the assistance of n-hexanol. Owing to the relatively long spacer chain as well as the features of the oxyethylene groups in the spacer, more n-hexanol molecules are required to populate on the droplet surface.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide