Microemulsion structure in the lenticular monophasic areas of brine/SDS/pentanol/dodecane or hexane systems: electrochemical and fluorescent studies

Abstract

The properties of pseudo-ternary systems involving brine, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), pentanol and dodecane or hexane have been investigated. When the hydrocarbon is dodecane, the microemulsion system includes in addition to the main monophasic area a small lens inserted in an oil-rich zone. With hexane, the microemulsion domain splits into two parts, one of which consists of a narrow scythe-blade shaped area which spreads from the water top up to compositions very rich in hydrocarbon. The properties of these uncommon microemulsions were compared with those of microemulsions belonging to the main monophasic area in order to gain additional understanding of their structure. Results of experiments including electrical conductivity and viscosity measurements, electrochemical and fluorescent probe studies lead to the following conclusions: Microemulsions of the small lens of the brine/SDS/pentanol/dodecane system exhibit properties which are reminiscent of structures with at once water and oil countinuous phases. Microemulsions of the lenticular area of the brine/SDS/pentanol/ hexane system seem to undergo the same structural transitions as microemulsions of systems which present a single monophasic area: water-continuous, bicontinuous and oilcontinuous structures.