Abstract:

The BSO (V. Bansal, D. Shah, and J. O'Connell, 1980) equation was derived as an empirical condition for max. H2O solubilization in microemulsions stabilized by anionic surfactants, in relation to the cosurfactant (alc.) and oil chain lengths. The present study examines, for the 1st time, the applicability of this equation for nonionic microemulsions. By constructing pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and measuring the area of the single phase regions as well as the H2O contents at the boundary, the authors find the solubilization capacity is related directly to the alc. chain length only if the alc. soly. in both the aq. and oleic phases is limited. In addn., the authors try to integrate the concept of chain length compatibility with the competition between the natural curvature and the crit. radius of the interface. The attempt to unify the exptl. results may serve as a guideline for optimization of microemulsion systems. [on SciFinder(R)]