Light-induced destabilisation of oil-in-water emulsions using light-active bolaform surfactants. Issue 2 (12th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biswas, Soumodeep; Karishma, S.; Ramesh, Balu; Jeganmohan, Masilamani; Mani, Ethayaraja
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 19:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2022-12-12
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01207c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : External stimuli-induced destabilisation of oil-in-water emulsions. Abstract : External stimuli-induced destabilisation of oil-in-water emulsions is of both fundamental and technological importance. In this work we synthesize light-active bolaform-type surfactants (LABSs) and show the preparation of decane-in-water emulsions over a range of surfactant and salt concentrations. Under ultraviolet (UV) illumination, LABSs undergo trans to cis isomerization affecting their interfacial activity. Therefore when stable emulsions stabilized by LABSs are exposed to UV light, they undergo partial destabilization. To induce interfacial flow, a small amount of volatile solvent (methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, etc. ) is added at the emulsification stage and in this case complete phase separation is observed. This study demonstrates a facile route to induce destabilization of surfactant-stabilized emulsions using benign solvents and minimal use of energy (UV light) and this method could be of importance in wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, protein separation, etc . where emulsion destabilization is desired.