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    Playing Favorites: Preferential Adsorption of Nonionic over Anionic Surfactants at the Liquid/Liquid Interface

    Year: 2021

    Journal: Langmuir, Volume 37, OCT 19, page 12213–12222

    Authors: Altman, Rebecca M.; Christoffersen, Evan L.; Jones, Konnor K.; Krause, Virginia M.; Richmond, Geraldine L.

    Organizations: Department of Energy, under U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Condensed Phase and Interfacial Molecular Science Division [DE-SC0014278]; National Science Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates [CHE 1659346]

    While many studies have investigated synergic interactions between surfactants in mixed systems, understanding possible competitive behaviors between interfacial components of binary surfactant systems is necessary for the optimized efficacy of applications dependent on surface properties. Such is the focus of these studies in which the surface behavior of a binary surfactant mixture containing nonionic (Span-80) and anionic (AOT) components adsorbing to the oil/water interface was investigated with vibrational sum-frequency (VSF) spectroscopy and surface tensiometry experimental methods. Time-dependent spectroscopic studies reveal that while both nonionic and anionic surfactants initially adsorb to the interface, anionic surfactants desorb over time as the nonionic surfactant continues to adsorb. Concentration studies that vary the ratio of Span-80 to AOT in bulk solution show that the nonionic surfactant preferentially adsorbs to the oil/water interface over the anionic surfactant. These studies have important implications for applications in which mixed surfactant systems are used to alter interfacial properties, such as pharmaceuticals, industrial films, and environmental remediation.
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