Abstract

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) were used to characterize the microstructure of a reverse micelle system consisting of ethanol, water, and surfactant in n-hexadecanes as an analytical framework to understand the structure and stability of a model platform for biofuel formulations. Best-fit modeling of SANS scattering data suggested that the micelles are better described as ellipsoids rather than spheres, with the (geometric) diameters of stable micelles increasing from 2.4 to 7.5 nm as a function of the increasing water content as well as surfactant concentration. Fitted diameters from DLS measurements followed similar trends, but DLS measurements overestimated the interior of the micelles by roughly 2–3 nm because DLS measurements are based on the full hydrodynamic radius, including the surfactant shell. SANS only detects the nanopool interior, a significant advantage. The choice of surfactant altered the stability at temperatures below 10 °C, but the micelles rea...

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