Phase Diagram, Electrical Conductivity, and Viscosity Study of Alpha-Sulfonated Methyl Esters Derived from Palm Stearin/1-Pentanol/Hydrocarbon/Water Systems

Abstract

Microemulsion region of sodium salt alpha-sulfonated methyl ester derived from palm stearin (α-SMEPS)/1-pentanol/alkane/water systems was constructed and investigated at 30.0 ± 0.1°C. The water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion, bicontinuous structure, and oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion regions were determined by both conductivity and viscosity methods. Results showed that the microemulsion region decreases and moved towards (α-SMEPS f 1-pentanol) rich corner with the increase in hydrocarbon chain length of alkane from C8 to C16. The changes in alkane chain length from C16 to C8 were found to have shifted the o/w microemulsion f bicontinuous structure f w/o microemulsion transitions of α-SMEPS self-assembly to the rich water corner.

Keywords:

• α-Sulfonated methyl esters
• conductivity
• kinematic viscosity
• microemulsion
• palm stearin
• percolation

Gratitude is extended to Director General of Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) for his permission to publish this research paper.