Curvature as a Determinant of Microstructure and Microemulsions

Author

S. J. Chen
D. Fennell Evans
B. W. Ninham
D. J. Mitchell
Frank D. Blum, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Stephen Pickup

Abstract

Curvature, set by a balance between repulsive head group forces opposed by hydrocarbon chain repulsion augmented by oil uptake in surfactant tails, is shown to be a major determinant of microemulsion structure. The case is argued through a comparison between physical properties of three-component systems and those systems in which these properties are altered by mixed oils, mixed surfactants, cosurfactants, temperature, and oils which exhibit an extreme affinity for surfactant monolayers. The emerging picture is consistent with theories of self-assembly for surfactants in water, provided constraints imposed by geometry are recognized. © 1986 American Chemical Society.

Recommended Citation

S. J. Chen et al., "Curvature as a Determinant of Microstructure and Microemulsions," Journal of Physical Chemistry, American Chemical Society (ACS), Jan 1986.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1021/j100277a027

Department(s)

Chemistry

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1986 American Chemical Society (ACS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1986