Abstract

AbstractThe dynamic response of water-in-oil AOT microemulsion droplets to perturbations caused by rapid energy transfer has been interpreted in terms of the surfactant interface bending rigidity. The Iodine Laser Temperature Jump technique was used to rapidly (1 μs) increase the microemulsion temperature and thus disturb the system equilibrium. The dynamic relaxation to the new equilibrium position was monitored by measuring the turbidity of the microemulsion over a I ms time interval immediately after the temperature jump. The rate and direction of the turbidity change depended on the initial temperature, size and salt content of the water droplets. We observed characteristic times of 2 to 10 μs and attributed them to the relaxation of the surfactant interface. A bending modulus of 0.4 kT was derived for the AOT interface, using a model for the shape perturbation of a spherical interface.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call