Adsorption measurement interfacial tension

The choice between the static methods (Wilhelmy plate method and the du Noiiy ring method) should primarily be based on the properties of the system being studied, in particular, the surfactant. As mentioned in UNITD3.5, the transport of surfactant molecules from the bulk to the surface requires a finite amount of time. Since static interfacial tension measurements do not yield information about the true age of the interface, it is conceivable that the measured interfacial tension values may not correspond to equilibrium interfacial tension values (i.e., the exchange of molecules between the bulk and the interface has not yet reached full equilibrium and the interfacial tension values are therefore not static). If the surfactant used in the experiment adsorbs within a few seconds, which is the case for small-molecule surfactants, then both the Wilhelmy plate method and the du Noiiy ring method are adequate. If the adsorption of a surfactant requires more time to reach full equilibrium, then the measurement should not be conducted until the interfacial tension values have stabilized. Since interfacial tension values are continuously displayed with... 

The dependence of the measured interfacial tension on time may be due to the diffusion of the surfactant from the formation water into the crude oil. However, if the system was pre-equilibrated this should not take place. An adsorption and accumulation of the surfactant at the interface can occur, resulting in an interfacial layer of different composition than the original phases. 

The dynamic process of adsorption of emulsifiers and the equilibrium state of the interfacial film can be measured by the change in interfacial tension as a function of time. Dynamic interfacial tension techniques exist that measure without disturbing the interface. Various such techniques to measure interfacial tension have been reported in the literature (Addison and Hutchinson, 1949 Padday and Russel, 1960). The Wilhelmy plate technique is preferred over other techniques because the values obtained are more accurate than those obtained using other techniques such as the capillary rise or du Nouy ring methods (Padday and Russel, 1960). In the latter two methods, the long equilibration time (3-60 hours) and difficulties in accurately positioning the... 

A zero or near-zero contact angle is necessary otherwise results will be low. This was found to be the case with surfactant solutions where adsorption on the ring changed its wetting characteristics, and where liquid-liquid interfacial tensions were measured. In such cases a Teflon or polyethylene ring may be used [47]. When used to study monolayers, it may be necessary to know the increase in area at detachment, and some calculations of this are available [48]. Finally, an alternative method obtains y from the slope of the plot of W versus z, the elevation of the ring above the liquid surface [49]. 

The extensive use of the Young equation (Eq. X-18) reflects its general acceptance. Curiously, however, the equation has never been verified experimentally since surface tensions of solids are rather difficult to measure. While Fowkes and Sawyer [140] claimed verification for liquids on a fluorocarbon polymer, it is not clear that their assumptions are valid. Nucleation studies indicate that the interfacial tension between a solid and its liquid is appreciable (see Section K-3) and may not be ignored. Indirect experimental tests involve comparing the variation of the contact angle with solute concentration with separate adsorption studies [173]. 

Studies on mechanisms are described by Balzer [192]. In the case of anionics the residual oil in the injection zone is removed via displacement into the adjacent reservoirs ether carboxylates show their good adaptation to differences in temperature and salinity. Further it was found from interfacial tension measurements, adsorption and retention studies, and flooding tests that use of surfactant blends based on ether carboxylates and alkylbenzensulfonates resulted... 

Double integration with respect to EA yields the surface excess rB+ however, the calculation requires that the value of this excess be known, along with the value of the first differential 3TB+/3EA for a definite potential. This value can be found, for example, by measuring the interfacial tension, especially at the potential of the electrocapillary maximum. The surface excess is often found for solutions of the alkali metals on the basis of the assumption that, at potentials sufficiently more negative than the zero-charge potential, the electrode double layer has a diffuse character without specific adsorption of any component of the electrolyte. The theory of diffuse electrical double layer is then used to determine TB+ and dTB+/3EA (see Section 4.3.1). 

Lewis, as already mentioned, used a solution of sodium glycocholate and determined the adsorption of the salt by a surface of paraffin oil. The interfacial tension solution—paraffin oil this was measured for a number of concentrations by the drop method just discussed, and the [Pg.42]

Electrocapiilary phenomena on Hg-electrode in presence and absence of an adsorbate (camphor). From a measurement of interfacial tension (a) (e.g., from droptime of a Hg-electrode) or of differential capacity (d) (e.g., by an a.c-method) as a function of the electrode potential (established by applying a fixed potential across tine Hg-electrolyte interface) one can calculate the extent of adsorption (b) (from (a) by the Gibbs Equation) and of the structure of the interface as a function of the surface potential. Figs, a, c and d are interconnected through the Lippmann Equations. 

Unfortunately, little direct information is available on the physicochemical properties of the interface, since real interfacial properties (dielectric constant, viscosity, density, charge distribution) are difficult to measure, and the interpretation of the limited results so far available on systems relevant to solvent extraction are open to discussion. Interfacial tension measurements are, in this respect, an exception and can be easily performed by several standard physicochemical techniques. Specialized treatises on surface chemistry provide an exhaustive description of the interfacial phenomena [10,11]. The interfacial tension, y, is defined as that force per unit length that is required to increase the contact surface of two immiscible liquids by 1 cm. Its units, in the CGS system, are dyne per centimeter (dyne cm" ). Adsorption of extractant molecules at the interface lowers the interfacial tension and makes it easier to disperse one phase into the other. 

The most accurately determined example of the third class has already been cited, namely the effect of butyric acid on the interfacial tension benzene-water. Harkins has found the concentration of acid in both layers for each pair of phases in equilibrium, but did not measure that of the second solvent. The mutual solubility must however almost certainly increase with the addition of a body soluble in either, but the interfacial tension is still diminished, adsorption of the solute counterbalancing the greater resemblance of the two phases. Bubanovic has also determined the interfacial tensions of the same solutions against olive oil, obtaining very similar results. He has also examined solutions of chloral hydrate. 

Interfacial pressure th, the change in interfacial tension as a result of sorption (usually positive adsorption) of the surface-active material. It may be regarded as a measure of the tendency of adsorbed species at the interface (or biface) to enlarge the area occupied by the BLM. 

While the quasistatic method is quite accurate, it requires a long time to determine a complete adsorption kinetics curve. This is because a new drop has to be formed at the tip of the capillary to determine one single measurement point. For example, if ten dynamic interfacial tension values are to be determined over a period of 30 min, -180 min will be required to conduct the entire measurement. On the other hand, the constant drop formation method is often limited because a large number of droplets have to be formed without interruption, which may rapidly empty the syringe. Furthermore, the critical volume required to cause a detachment of droplets depends on the density difference between the phases. If the density difference decreases, the critical volume will subsequently increase, which may exacerbate the problem of not having enough sample liquid for a complete run. 

An almost overwhelmingly large number of different techniques for measuring dynamic and static interfacial tension at liquid interfaces is available. Since many of the commercially available instruments are fairly expensive to purchase (see Internet Resources), the appropriate selection of a suitable technique for the desired application is essential. Dukhin et al. (1995) provides a comprehensive overview of currently available measurement methods (also see Table D3.6.1). An important aspect to consider is the time range over which the adsorption kinetics of surface-active substances can be measured (Fig. D3.6.5). For applications in which small surfactant molecules are primarily used, the maximum bubble pressure (MBP) method is ideally suited, since it is the only... 

The continuous formation of drops, however, can lead to substantial errors in obtained adsorption kinetic data. For short drop formation times, hydrodynamic effects have to be taken into account. At large flow rates, the measured drop volume at the moment of detachment must be corrected. This is because a finite time is required for the drop meniscus to be disrupted and the drop to detach. Even though the volume has already reached its critical value, fluid may still flow from the reservoir into the drop. The volume of the drop is thus larger than its measured value, which leads to larger calculated interfacial tension values. The shorter the drop formation time is, the larger the error w i 11 be. K1 oubek et al. (1976) were the first to quantify this effect by introducing a corrected critical drop volume, Vc ... 

The time required to conduct an interfacial tension experiment depends largely on the properties of the surfactants and less on the chosen measurement method. A notable exception is the drop volume technique, which, due to the measurement principle, requires substantial ly more time than the drop shape analysis method. Regardless of the method used, 1 day or more may be required to accurately determine, e.g., the adsorption isotherm (unit D3.s) of a protein. This is because, at low protein concentrations, it can take several hours to reach full equilibrium between proteins in the bulk phase and those at the surface due to structural rearrangement processes. This is especially important for static interfacial tension measurements (see Basic Protocol 1 and Alternate Protocols 1 and 2). If the interfacial tension is measured before the exchange of molecules... 

An excellent comprehensive review of all theoretical and practical aspects of dynamic and static interfacial tension measurements written by the most prolific authors in the field of protein adsorption. Contains a wealth of additional references that the interested reader may consult to gain additional understanding of the field of research. 

Surfactant molar masses range from a few hundreds up to several thousands. As there will be a balance between adsorption and desorption (due to thermal motions) the interfacial condition requires some time to establish. Because of this, surface activity should be considered a dynamic phenomenon. This can be seen by measuring surface tension versus time for a freshly formed surface. 

The equilibrium solution surfactant concentration needed to achieve a specified level of adsorption at an interface. Example one such measure of efficiency is the surfactant concentration needed to reduce the surface or interfacial tension by 20 mN/m from the value of the pure solvent(s). This term has a different meaning from surfactant effectiveness. 

Cayias, J.L. Schechter, R.S. Wade, W.H. The Measurement of Low Interfacial Tension via the Spinning Drop Technique in Adsorption at Interfaces, Mittal, K.L. (Ed.), American Chemical Society Washington, 1975, pp. 234-247. 

Adsorption can be measured by direct or indirect methods. Direct methods include surface microtome method [46], foam generation method [47] and radio-labelled surfactant adsorption method [48]. These direct methods have several disadvantages. Hence, the amount of surfactant adsorbed per unit area of interface (T) at surface saturation is mostly determined by indirect methods namely surface and interfacial tension measurements along with the application of Gibbs adsorption equations (see Section 2.2.3 and Figure 2.1). Surfactant structure, presence of electrolyte, nature of non-polar liquid and temperature significantly affect the T value. The T values and the area occupied per surfactant molecule at water-air and water-hydrocarbon interfaces for several anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants can be found in Chapter 2 of [2]. 

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