Interfacial interactions between oleic acid and betaine molecules at decane-water interface: A study of dilational rheology

Abstract

The interfacial interactions between organic acid and betaine molecules play an important role in reducing interfacial tension (IFT). To deeply detect the arrangements of organic acid and betaine molecules at the interface, the dilational rheological properties of mixed adsorption films formed by oleic acid and octadecyl carboxyl betaine (18PC) or octadecyl sulfobetaine (18PS) were investigated using drop shape analysis method at the decane-water interface. The influences of aging time, oscillation frequency and surfactants concentration were detected. The experimental results show that the properties of 18PC and 18PS adsorption film are controlled by both the fast diffusion-exchange process between the bulk and the interface and the slow re-arrangement process in the interface. 18PC film is tighter than that of 18PS because the size of carboxyl is small than sulfonyl. Oleic acid and betaine surfactants can form mixed adsorption films with less strength caused by the rapid transfer of oleic acid between the bulk and the interface, but more elastic due to the enhancement of the intermolecular interaction. In this case, the oleic acid molecules are easier to insert into the spaces between 18PS molecules on the interface, which results in a more tight mixed film than oleic acid/18PC film.