Investigations on Mixed Systems of Alkyltriphenylphosphonium Bromides (C₁₀‐C₁₆) with Tween 20 in Aqueous Media

Abstract

As part of a program investigating various mixed surfactant systems, the present investigation studied C₁₀‐C₁₆ triphenylphosphonium bromides with a nonionic surfactant (Tween 20). Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to determine the critical micelle concentration. Results were analyzed using Regular Solution Theory to obtain the composition of the mixed micelles and the interaction parameter, β, to evaluate the type of interactions of surfactants in the mixed micelle. Maeda's approach was also employed to examine the chain–chain interactions of the surfactants in the mixed micelle.

Keywords:

• Mixed micelles
• critical micelle concentration
• Maeda's approach
• fluorescence spectroscopy
• nonionic surfactant
• interaction parameter
• synergism

Acknowledgment

RP acknowledges the generous support in the form of an operating grant from NSERC of Canada, and AA acknowledges the partial funding from Canadian Superior Gas Company (2004).