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On the Characteristic Curvature of Alkyl-Polypropylene Oxide Sulfate Extended Surfactants

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Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

The hydrophobicity of alkyl-polypropylene oxide sulfate surfactants was evaluated via their characteristic curvature (Cc) using the hydrophilic-lipophilic difference (HLD) framework. A close examination of the relationship between the molecular structure of the surfactants considered (structure of the alkyl group and the number of propylene oxide groups in each surfactant) and their Cc led to a group contribution model that, for the first time, takes into consideration the geometry of the alkyl tail group. Based on this group contribution model, branching at the C2 (beta-carbon) position of the alkyl group produces the largest increase in characteristic curvature. This observation is consistent with the notion that the Cc is associated with the packing factor for anionic surfactants. Branching at the C2 position tends to produce cylindrical or inverse cone shape packing, typical of more hydrophobic (positive Cc) surfactants. This study also confirms previous observations that, different from conventional anionic surfactants, the phase behavior of alkyl polypropylene oxide sulfates is less sensitive to electrolyte concentration and that these formulations turn hydrophobic with increasing temperature, akin to the behavior of nonionic surfactants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Geoff Russell for sulfating the materials, Nomihla Valashiya-Mdleleni for assistance with the phase boundary studies and Herbert Perkins and Nunzio Andriollo for analytical data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sasol North America Inc., 2201 Old Spanish Trail, Westlake, LA, 70669, USA

    Charles E. Hammond

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St. Room 131, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada

    Edgar J. Acosta

Authors
  1. Charles E. Hammond
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  2. Edgar J. Acosta
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Correspondence to Charles E. Hammond or Edgar J. Acosta.

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Hammond, C.E., Acosta, E.J. On the Characteristic Curvature of Alkyl-Polypropylene Oxide Sulfate Extended Surfactants. J Surfact Deterg 15, 157–165 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-011-1303-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-011-1303-2

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