Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.251, No.1, 166-171, 2002
Studies of synergism/antagonism for lowering dynamic interfacial tensions in surfactant/alkali/acidic oil systems, part 2: Synergism/antagonism in binary surfactant mixtures
Experimental studies are conducted in order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for synergism/antagonism for lowering dynamic interfacial tension in hydrocarbons/binary surfactant mixtures/brine systems. The dynamic interfacial tensions between hydrocarbons of different alkane carbon numbers (from 6 to 14) and solutions of binary surfactant mixtures were measured. We found that the synergism/antagonism for interfacial tension reduction in binary surfactant mixtures having low interfacial tension values was influenced by the alkane carbon number of oil phase, hydrophilic-lipophilic ability of surfactant, and NaCl concentration. A new explanation in view of interactions among surfactant molecules, oil molecules, and water molecules is provided.
Keywords:dynamic interfacial tension;interfacial tension lowering;synergism;antagonism;binary surfactant mixtures