Effect of Shielding of Head Group of Surfactant on the Microemulsion Region of the Systems Water/Decane/Pentanol/Hexadecyltrialkylammonium Bromides

Abstract

Microemulsion areas were determined for the combination water/decane/pentanol with a series of surfactants. hexadecyltrialkylammonium bormides, in which the alkyl groups were methyl.ethyl and propyl.The enhanced hydrophobic shielding of the surfactant polar group led to enhanced solubility of the surfactant in the alcohol and alcohol/hydrocarbon mixtures and a concordant transfer of the w/o solubility area towards higher surfactant/cosurfactant ratios.