Microemulsions in Supercritical Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

Abstract

We report the properties of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) microemulsions formed in supercritical hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons, and flourocarbons. The fluids used in this study include compounds that are of low toxicity and flammability and that are expected to remain environmentally acceptable well into the next century (e.g., 1,1,1, 2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and chlorodifluoromethane (R22)). We show that it is possible to form a water-in-oil type of microemulsion in a low molecular weight HCFC (R22). In addition to these HCFCs, We also review the ability to form microemulsions in 14 other fluids (ethane, propene, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, n-haxane, isobutane, isooctane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, sulfur haxafluoride, xenon, and carbon dioxide) at conditions just above or below the critical point (0.75 < T/T{sub c} <1.1) of the solvent. We report extensively the phase behavior of AOT and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide microemulsions formed in a supercritical HCFC, R22. We show that microemulsions in HCFCs are practical alternatives to other fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide. 56 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.