Solubilized states of water and formation of reversed micelles in polyoxyethylated nonylphenyl ethers in cyclohexane media

Abstract

The limiting amounts of solubilization of water in the concentration range 0–200 mmol kg⁻¹ polyoxyethylene (6 and 10) nonylphenyl ethers (NP-6 and NP-10)/cyclohexane solutions were measured by the Karl-Fischer method at 25°C. Utilizing NMR, ESR, and near infrared spectroscopic techniques, the states of water in the solubilization region obtained were examined as a function of the molar ratio of water to surfactants at various surfactant concentrations. In NP-6 system, three solubilized states of water, i.e., water interacted directly with the oxyethylene moiety of surfactant, bound water next to the hydrated oxyethylene moiety, and bulk-like water were built up. However, in NP-10 system only directly interacted water was present. It was found that the directly interacted water is distributed between monomeric surfactants and reversed micelles, and others are distributed to swollen micelles and W/O microemulsions. In addition, the minimum amounts of water required to form reversed and swollen micelles were calculated.