Comparison of Phase Diagrams of Glycerol Type Oxyethylene Type Nonionic Surfactants

Abstract

We have studied the characteristics of glycerol type nonionic surfactant (3,3′-oxybis (1,2-propanediol) 1-dodecyl ether; R₁₂G₂E) by phase diagram. Comparing with oxyethylene type nonionic surfactant (α-dodecyl-ω-hydroxyhexa (oxyethylene); R₁₂EO₆), we have found three unique characters. First, from very low concentration of R₁₂G₂E, it could solubilize water and oil. This means these kind of surfactants have a strong lipophobicity as well as a strong hydrophobicity. Second, the amount of R₁₂G₂E to solubilize whole water and oil was very small. And third, R₁₂G₂E was less affected by the temperature change, comparing with R₁₂EO₆.
Because of these characters of R₁₂G₂E, its phase diagram on the plane of water/oil = 1/1(wt), in water/surfactant/oil system, showed “Humpback-whale” figure, while that of oxyethylene type nonionic surfactant in the same condition showed ordinary “Fish-like” figure.