Application of anionic-nonionic mixed micellar system for solubilization of methylene blue dye

Abstract

Present study highlights the interaction of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye, with anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and its mixed micelles with a nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 (TX-114). The results obtained from UV–visible spectrophotometry were used to obtain the degree of solubilization in terms of binding constant (Kb) and partition coefficient (Kx) of dye in single and mixed micellar systems (MMS). Gibb’s free energies of partitioning and binding were also calculated for both systems. Specific conductance was measured to determine the CMC of single and mixed micellar media at five different temperatures, T = (293.15 – 333.15) K. Temperature-dependent thermodynamic parameters like Gibb’s free energy of micellization (ΔGomic), enthalpy of micellization (ΔHomic), and entropy of micellization (ΔSomic) were calculated using data of specific conductance measurements. Effect of concentration of TX-114 on Kx and Kb values of the MB in MMS is also investigated. Spectroscopic and conductometric results revealed that the anionic-nonionic mixed micellar system was better and more effective for the removal and solubilization of MB from aqueous system as compared to anionic micelles only. However, it has been observed that after a critical concentration an increase of non-ionic surfactant concentration has a reverse effect on solubilizing power of ionic-nonionic mixed micellar system. This indicates that the dye-surfactant interaction became weaker due to possible decrease in ionic character of mixed micelles when the high fraction of TX-114 was used.