Dynamic interfacial tensions of alkyl alcohol polyoxypropylene–oxyehtylene ether sulfonate solutions

Abstract

Abstract The dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) of a series of branched alkyl ether sulfonates with different number of ethylene oxide (EO) groups and propylene oxide (PO) groups, C 8 PO 3 EO 3 S, C 8 PO 3 EO 6 S, C 8 PO 6 EO 3 S and C 8 PO 6 EO 6 S, against n-alkane have been investigated by spinning drop interfacial tensiometer. The influences of surfactant concentration and salinity on IFT were expounded. The effect of alkyl chain carbon number (ACN) of the oil phase on the IFT has also been investigated. The experimental results show that the dynamic IFTs of C 8 PO 3 EO 6 S and C 8 PO 6 EO 3 S decrease and then reach a plateau with time, shown as an L-shaped; on the other hand, the dynamic IFTs go through minima and show V-shaped for C 8 PO 3 EO 3 S and C 8 PO 6 EO 6 S solutions at high bulk concentration. Moreover, V-shaped curve also appears at low bulk concentration for C 8 PO 3 EO 3 S and C 8 PO 6 EO 6 S with addition of NaCl. An increase in the length of alky chain of the oil molecules will enhance V-shaped phenomenon as well. This research suggests that the ratio of PO groups to EO groups is a key factor for controlling interfacial properties. Under optimal conditions, the transient and equilibrium ultralow IFTs can be obtained by C 8 PO 6 EO 6 S and C 8 PO 6 EO 3 S solutions respectively. Previous studies have shown that the interfacial concentration of surfactant monomers and the cross-sectional area of surfactant molecule at the interface are the two most important factors in dominating ultralow IFT. A mechanism base on the variation of cross-sectional area of surfactant molecule due to the PO groups looping away from the aqueous phase into the oil phase has been provided for understanding the ultralow IFT property for anionic–nonionic surfactants.