Complex fluids of poly(oxyethylene) monoalkyl ether nonionic surfactants

Abstract

The known binary and ternary systems of poly(oxyethylene) n-monoalkyl ether nonionic surfactants with other types of surfactants or additives in bulk solutions are discussed. The study of nonionic surfactants in nonaqueous solvents has expanded rapidly. This has been due to the interest in the study of the basic properties of amphiphile aggregates, the hydrophobic effect on the formation of micelles. Ethylene glycol (EG) is thought to be a good alternative nonaqueous media for investigating the aggregation of surfactants because EG has similar properties to water. It has high cohesive energies, high dielectric constant, and hydrogen-bonding ability. Formamide possesses analogous properties to water and EG and was used earlier than EG to substitute for or compare with water in investigating the solubilization, adsorption, and aggregation behavior of surfactants.