SOLUBILIZATION OF NONPOLAR OILS IN AQUEOUS MICELLAR MIXTURES OF IONIC AND NONIONIC SURFACTANTS

Rates of solubilization of an n-alkane into micellar solutions formed by mixtures of ionic and nonionic surfactants are discussed in terms of changes in the micellar size with mixture composition. The micellar size changes can be interpreted in terms of the resistance of the Laplace pressure difference across the micelle/solution interface. Values for the average time interval between solubilization events at the oil/water interface have been derived. These show a similar time-scale to the dynamic micellar processes. Effects of the shielding of the ionic component at the micelle/solution interface may be inferred and possible differences in the ability of the surfactant counterion to bind distinguished. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.