baser@che.udel.edu

Structure and solution properties of surfactant mixtures

Surfactants are molecules consisting of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part. Consequently they form many different microstructures in aqueous solutions, leading to many applications, ranging from personal care products and pharmaceutical formulations to detergents and paints. Since pure surfactants are expensive, surfactant mixtures are commonly used. Knowledge of the structure and the thermodynamics of surfactant mixtures allows more efficient use of the surfactant, and development of novel applications. Phase behavior investigations of ionic and non-ionic surfactants in water enables prediction of the propertiesof the surfactant mixture.

Phase equilibrium studies, small angle neutron scattering and rheological investigations are used to determine structures and solution properties, and to probe how the solutions behave under flow.

In this work, we are mainly interested in alkylpolyglucosides. These new surfactants are sugar based and made from naturally occurring substances, so they are both biocompatible and renewable. This is an advantage especially for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.