Phase Behavior, Solubilization, and Phase Transition of a Microemulsion System Stabilized by a Novel Surfactant Synthesized from Castor Oil

Abstract

Phase behavior, solubilization, and phase transition of a microemulsion system stabilized by a castor oil-based novel surfactant (sodium methyl ester sulfonate) and cosurfactant (propan-2-ol) were investigated for effective application in oil recovery processes. A pseudoternary phase diagram showed the existence of different phases (S/L phase, Winsor I, Winsor II, Winsor III, and Winsor IV) by conventional titration method. With an increase in the cosurfactant-to-surfactant ratio (K cs), the region under the Winsor III phase was found to increase. An increase in cosurfactant content in the system mixture improved interactions of the surfactant with oil and water in the microemulsion phase, thereby reducing molecular aggregations in solution. At optimal salinity, equal amounts of oil and water were solubilized in a microemulsion in the Winsor III systems and showed ultralow interfacial tension (IFT) values on the order of 10–3 to 10–4 mN/m. Phase dilution studies revealed that the microemulsion systems formed were thermodynamically stable. Salinity increased the relative phase volume of a middle-phase microemulsion, whereas an increase in water content reduced the middle phase volume fractions in the Winsor III systems. Phase transition data were analyzed and fitted using empirical relationships. An increase in salinity and brine content caused phase transformation from Winsor I to Winsor II via Winsor III. However, an increase in temperature showed reverse phase transformation from Winsor II to Winsor III.

Effect of hydrophobically modified PEO polymers (PEO-dodecyl) on oil/water microemulsion properties: in vitro and in silico investigations

“…[18][19][20][21] Their relative importance depends on the stresses undergone by the lm which determines the physical properties of microemulsions such as their phase behavior, their stability, their structure, and their solubilization capacity. [22][23][24][25] Although there are still few products on the market, microemulsions exhibit remarkable properties, in particular an ultralow water/oil interfacial tension 26,27 and a high solubilizing power both towards hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. 28,29 Compared to a conventional emulsion, a microemulsion is a better vector for the active agents because it consists of nanodroplets that allow better penetration of these active agents.…”

Effect of Ethylene Oxide Group in the Anionic–Nonionic Mixed Surfactant System on Microemulsion Phase Behavior

“…The oil solubilization ratio at optimal conditions, the volume ratio of solubilized oil to total surfactant (σ*), is calculated by the Chun Huh equation (Pal et al, 2017; Tongcumpou et al, 2003): …”

Synthesis, Characterization, Surface Properties and Micellization Behaviour of Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquids

“…The As the concentration of IL is initially increased, the selfaggregation of IL monomers begins to occur, resulting in the formation of micelles. It is generally found that the size distribution in the bulk aqueous phase is primarily dependent on the conformational alteration of the molecular arrangement, irrespective of the quantitative nature of volumetric profiles [38,39]. The intensity-weighted size distributions of C 8 mimBF 4 , C 10 mimBF 4 and C 12 mimBF 4 solutions at the CMC and 298 K are depicted in Fig.…”