Short Course on
SURFACTANTS AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS
Self-Assembly: Structure-Performance Relationship

 

Surfactants find numerous applications in chemical process industries, in the formulation of pharmaceuticals, household products, and agricultural chemicals, in mineral processing technologies, and in food processing industries.  Naturally occurring surfactants in plants, animals, and humans have important biological or physiological functions.  The research activity in the field of surfactants has experienced enormous growth during the last twenty-five years.  More than one thousand research articles are published annually and many scientific journals are devoted to the study of surfactants.

The widespread applications of surfactants originate from the intrinsic duality in their molecular characteristics; namely, they are composed of a polar head group that likes water and a non-polar tail group that dislikes water.  Numerous variations are possible in the types of the head groups and tail groups.   This variety in the molecular structure of the surfactants allows for extensive variation in their solution and interfacial properties. 

One would naturally like to discover the link between the molecular structure of the surfactant and its self-assembling and solution properties so that surfactants can be synthesized or selected specifically for a given application. 

This course is designed for industrial researchers and practitioners interested in understanding the fundamental solution properties of surfactants and block copolymers.  The course is designed as a one–day course with approximately eight hours of lectures. 

For further information about scheduling and registration:

CONTACT

R. (Nagu) Nagarajan
Emeritus
Professor of Chemical Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University
E-Mail:  RXN@PSU.EDU
Web Page: http://www.personal.psu.edu/rxn

 

COURSE OUTLINE
 

INTRODUCTION TO SURFACTANTS

Classification of Surfactants
Introduction to Block Copolymers
Phenomenon of Self-Assembly
Critical Micelle Concentration
Aggregate Shapes
 

PRINCIPLES OF SELF-ASSEMBLY

Closed and Continuous Association
Pseudo-Phase Model
Estimation of Critical Micelle Concentration
Estimation of Micelle Size
Size Dispersion of Micelles
Concentration Dependence of Micelle Size
Micelle Charge
Concentration of Surfactant Monomer Beyond CMC
Sphere-to-Rod Transition
Sphere-to Bilayer Transition
 

MOLECULAR PACKING AND SELF-ASSEMBLY

Packing Requirements
Packing Parameter
Principle of Opposing Forces of Tanford
Packing Parameter Model
Predicting Type of Self-Assembly
 

SURFACTANTS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Why Molecules Aggregate ?
What Factors Control Aggregate Size and Shape?
Determining Molecular Constants for Surfactants
Influence of Head Groups on Aggregation Behavior
Influence of Tail Groups on Aggregation Behavior
Influence of Ionic Strength on Aggregation Behavior
Influence of Temperature on Aggregation Behavior
Transition from Spherical to Rod-like Micelles
Formation of Vesicles
 

SURFACTANT MIXTURES

Ideal and Non-Ideal Mixed Micelles
Regular Solution Model
Size and Composition Distribution of Aggregates
How Surfactant Composition Affects Mixture Behavior ?
Nonionic Hydrocarbon-Nonionic Hydrocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Ionic Hydrocarbon-Ionic Hydrocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Ionic Hydrocarbon-Nonionic Hydrocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Anionic Hydrocarbon-Cationic Hydrocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Anionic Fluorocarbon-Nonionic Hydrocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Anionic Hydrocarbon-Anionic Fluorocarbon Surfactant Mixtures
Origin of Ideal and Non-Ideal Mixing Behavior
 

SURFACTANTS IN NON-POLAR SOLVENTS

Differences Between Water and Non-Polar Solvents
Why Molecules Would Aggregate ?
Types of Aggregates
Size Distribution of Aggregates
Question of Existence of a CMC 
Influence of Surfactant Molecular Structure
Influence of Temperature
Influence of Solvent Polarity
 

SURFACTANTS IN POLAR ORGANIC SOLVENTS

Types of Polar Solvents
Why Surfactants Would Aggregate ?
Shape and Size Distribution
Critical Micelle Concentration
Aggregate Size Polydispersity
Concentration-Dependent Aggregate Size
Micelle Formation in Mixed Aqueous-Organic Solvents
 

SOLUBILIZATION

Phenomenon of Solubilization
Relations for Solubilizate Uptake in Micelles
Why Solubilization Occurs and What Factors Limit it ?
Solubilization in Ionic Surfactant Solutions
Solubilization in Micelles of Poly(ethylene oxide) Surfactants
Solubilization-Induced Rod-to-Sphere Transition
Solubilization of Binary Hydrocarbon Mixtures
Solubilization in Mixed Micelles
 

MICROEMULSIONS

Phenomenon of Microemulsion Formation
Droplet Microemulsions
Bicontinuous Microemulsions
Phase Diagrams
Size and Composition Dispersion of Droplets
Persistence Length in Bicontinuous Microemulsions
Calculation of Interfacial Tension
Phase Transitions Between Microemulsion Systems
Nonionic Microemulsions
Microemulsions With Ionic Surfactants
Use of Cosurfactants
 

POLYMER-SURFACTANT INTERACTIONS

Interaction of Nonionic Polymer with Globular Micelles
Interaction of Nonionic Polymer with Rod-like Micelles 
Interaction of Nonionic Polymer with Vesicles and Bilayers 
Interaction of Nonionic Polymer with Microemulsions
 

BLOCK COPOLYMER AGGREGATES

Structure of Block Copolymers
Aggregation of AB, ABA, BAB, and ABC Type Block Copolymers
Why Molecules Aggregate ?
What Factors Control Micelle Size ? 
What Factors Determine Amount of Solubilization ?
Block Copolymer Composition and Aggregate Shapes
Solution Conditions and Aggregate Shape
Aggregate Shape Transitions Induced by Solubilization
Phase Behavior of Block Copolymer-Oil-Water System
Comparison to Conventional Surfactants
 

SOME APPLICATIONS

Chemical Separations
Selective Protein Extraction
Enzymatic Biocatalysis
Deinking of Laser and Xerox Printed Papers
Use as Environmentally-Benign Solvent for Product Recovery
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Lubricant Additives
Synthesis and Stabilization of Nanoparticles
 

REVIEW AND CONCLUDING DISCUSSIONS

 

BACK TO HOME PAGE