The hydrophobicity of silicone-based oils and surfactants and their use in reactive microemulsions

Design of industrial wastewater demulsifier by HLD-NAC model

The chemical method is one of the treatment techniques for the separation of oil–water emulsion systems. The selection of appropriate demulsifiers for each emulsion system is the most challenging issue. Hydrophilic-lipophilic-deviation (HLD) is a powerful semi-empirical model, providing predictive tools to formulate the emulsion and microemulsion systems. This work aims to apply HLD to obtain an optimal condition for demulsification of oil-in-water emulsion system—real industrial wastewater—with different water in oil ratios (WOR). Therefore, the oil parameter of the contaminant oil and surfactant parameter for three types of commercial surfactants were calculated by performing salinity scans. Furthermore, the net-average-curvature (NAC) framework coupled with HLD was used to predict the phase behavior of the synthetic microemulsion systems, incorporating solubilization properties, the shape of droplets, and quality of optimum formulation. The geometrical sizes of non-spherical droplets (L_d, R_d)—as an indicator of how droplet sizes are changing with HLD—were consistent with the separation results. Correlating L_d/R_d at phase transition points with bottle test results validates the hypothesis that NAC-predicted geometries and demulsification behavior are interconnected. Finally, the effect of sec-butanol was examined on both synthetic and real systems, providing reliable insights in terms of the effect of alcohol for WOR ≠ 1.

Use of the normalized hydrophilic-lipophilic-deviation (HLDN) equation for determining the equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN) of oils and the preferred alkane carbon number (PACN) of nonionic surfactants by the fish-tail method (FTM)

The standard HLD (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic-Deviation) equation expressing quantitatively the deviation from the "optimum formulation" of Surfactant/Oil/Water systems is normalized and simplified into a relation including only the three more meaningful formulation variables, namely (i) the "Preferred Alkane Carbon Number" PACN which expresses the amphiphilicity of the surfactant, (ii) the "Equivalent Alkane Carbon Number" EACN which accurately reflects the hydrophobicity of the oil and (iii) the temperature which has a strong influence on ethoxylated surfactants and is thus selected as an effective, continuous and reversible scanning variable. The PACN and EACN values, as well as the "temperature-sensitivity-coefficient"τ of surfactants are determined by reviewing available data in the literature for 17 nonionic n-alkyl polyglycol ether (C_iE_j) surfactants and 125 well-defined oils. The key information used is the so-called "fish-tail-temperature" T* which is a unique data point in true ternary C_iE_j/Oil/Water fish diagrams. The PACNs of C_iE_j surfactants are compared with other descriptors of their amphiphilicity, namely, the cloud point, the HLB number and the PIT-slope value. The EACNs of oils are rationalized by the Effective-Packing-Parameter concept and modelled thanks to the COSMO-RS theory.

Formulating and Retaining the Structure of Polymerized Surfactant Phases Using a Microemulsion Curvature Framework

Nanostructured polymers contain features smaller than 100 nm that are useful in a wide range of areas, including photonics, biomedical materials, and environmental applications. Out of the myriad of nanostructured polymers, surfactant-templated polymers are versatile because of their ability to have tunable domain sizes, structure, and composition. This work addresses the gap between the formulation with industrial-grade polymerizable surfactants and the final structure of the polymer, using the hydrophilic-lipophilic difference (HLD) and net-average curvature (NAC) frameworks. HLD indicates the proximity of the formulation (surfactant and oil monomer selection, temperature, electrolyte concentration) to the phase inversion point, where HLD = 0. NAC uses the HLD to determine the curvature of the surfactant-oil-water interface, leading not only to the size and shape of micelles and bicontinuous isotropic (L₃) systems but also to defining the most likely regions for lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) existence and phase separation in ternary phase diagrams. Polymerizing LLC fluids produced nanostructured polymers with similar LLC structures that were highly swellable, but with low compressive strength. Polymerizing L₃ fluids produced strong, but less water-swellable nanostructured polymers with a similar characteristic length to the parent L₃ microemulsion. The relatively small scale of the parent LLC (∼6-8 nm) or L₃ (∼3-4 nm) systems is consistent with the translucent nature of the polymers produced and the HLD-NAC predicted sizes.

Phase Diagrams and Structural Characterization of Mixtures of Silicone Surfactants + Silicone Oils + Water

Silicone surfactants display unique properties and are widely employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In this work, we study water incorporation into silicone oils using silicone surfactants. Despite their importance, there are only a few studies reporting their phase equilibrium and structural characterization. Here, we determined the phase diagram of systems containing silicone oils, silicone surfactants, and water. In particular, we investigated the self-assembly behavior of two siloxane surfactants with the different hydrophilic-lipophilic balance: M(D'E₇OH)M and MD₁₈(D'₃E₁₈OAc)M and two silicone oils (cyclic oil-D₄ and linear oil-MD₁₅M). The phase behavior of the mixtures was investigated through optical inspection and structural characterization of aggregated states (microemulsions and mesophases) using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). These water-in-oil microemulsions or bicontinuous microemulsions incorporated a maximum amount of approximately 20 wt % water for the two surfactants with cyclic oil. A similar behavior was also identified with linear silicone oil, though with smaller water contents. We also observed the formation of anisotropic states, with a predominance of lamellar phases and a small region of a hexagonal phase. A quantitative analysis of the SAXS curves in the lamellar region reveals that this mesophase swells continuously after the addition of water lamellar periods ranging from 50 Å (with 18 wt % water) to 64 Å (with 40 wt % water). Our results confirm and expand the earlier literature on similar compounds, indicating their potential in incorporating water into silicone mixtures and forming interesting mesophases. Accompanying this characterization, we also report a comprehensive and systematic set of structural details for the different systems (microemulsions, bicontinuous phases and mesophases) formed by these mixtures, derived from the SAXS measurements.

DEHP Nanodroplets Leached From Polyvinyl Chloride IV Bags Promote Aggregation of IVIG and Activate Complement in Human Serum

Concerns regarding the impact of subvisible particulate impurities on the safety and efficacy of therapeutic protein products have led manufacturers to implement strategies to minimize protein aggregation and particle formation during manufacturing, storage, and shipping. However, once these products are released, manufacturers have limited control over product handling. In this work, we investigated the effect of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) nanodroplets generated in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags of intravenous (IV) saline on the stability and immunogenicity of IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) formulations. We showed that PVC IV bags containing saline can release DEHP droplets into the solution when agitated or transported using a pneumatic tube transportation system in a clinical setting. We next investigated the effects of emulsified DEHP nanodroplets on IVIG stability and immunogenicity. IVIG adsorbed strongly to DEHP nanodroplets, forming a monolayer. In addition, DEHP nanodroplets accelerated IVIG aggregation in agitated samples. The immunogenicity of DEHP nanodroplets and IVIG aggregates generated in these formulations were evaluated using an in vitro assay of complement activation in human serum. The results suggested DEHP nanodroplets shed from PVC IV bags could reduce protein stability and induce activation of the complement system, potentially contributing to adverse immune responses during the administration of therapeutic proteins.

Preparation and characterization of a microemulsion via polycondensation of alkoxyl silane

A microemulsion was successfully prepared via polycondensation of alkoxy silanes.

Classification of ester oils according to their Equivalent Alkane Carbon Number (EACN) and asymmetry of fish diagrams of C10E4/ester oil/water systems

The phase behavior of well-defined C10E4/ester oil/water systems versus temperature was investigated. Fifteen ester oils were studied and their Equivalent Alkane Carbon Numbers (EACNs) were determined from the so-called fish-tail temperature T* of the fish diagrams obtained with an equal weight amount of oil and water (f(w)=0.5). The influence of the chemical structure of linear monoester on EACN was quantitatively rationalized in terms of ester bonds position and total carbon number, and explained by the influence of these polar oils on the "effective" packing parameter of the interfacial surfactant, which takes into account its entire physicochemical environment. In order to compare the behaviors of typical mono-, di-, and triester oils, three fish diagrams were entirely plotted with isopropyl myristate, bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate, and glycerol trioctanoate. When the number of ester bonds increases, a more pronounced asymmetry of the three-phase body of the fish diagram with respect to T* is observed. In this case, T* is much closer to the upper limit temperature Tu than to the lower limit temperature Tl of the three-phase zone. This asymmetry is suggested to be linked to an increased solubility of the surfactant in the oil phase, which decreases the surfactant availability for the interfacial pseudo-phase. As a consequence, the asymmetry depends on the water-oil ratio, and a method is proposed to determine the fw value at which T* is located at the mean value of Tu and Tl.

Polyglycerol fatty acid ester surfactant-based microemulsions for targeted delivery of ceramide AP into the stratum corneum: formulation, characterisation, in vitro release and penetration investigation

Ceramide AP (CER [AP]) is an integral component of the stratum corneum (SC) lipid matrix and is capable of forming tough and super stable lamellae. It may help to restore the barrier function in aged and affected skin. However, its effectiveness from conventional dosage forms is limited due to its poor solubility and penetration into the SC. Therefore, stable polyglycerol fatty acid ester surfactant (SAA)-based CER [AP] microemulsions (MEs) were formulated and characterised to enhance its solubilisation and penetration into the SC. TEGO® CARE PL 4 (TCPL4: polyglycerol-4-laurate), isopropyl palmitate (IPP) and water-1, 2 pentandiol (PeG) were used as amphiphilic, oily and hydrophilic components, respectively. The effects of HYDRIOL® PGMO.4 (HPGMO4: polyglyceryl-4-oleate) as a co-surfactant (co-SAA) and linoleic acid (Lin A) as part of the oil component on the stability and characteristics of the MEs were investigated. EPR results were used for the first time to reveal MEs nanostructures. The release and penetration behaviour of the MEs was assessed in vitro by using a multi-layer membrane model. The results obtained showed that HPGMO4 and Lin A increased stability and expanded the ME region considerably. The formulations were stable for 10 to >24 months. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed that the droplets were bigger and asymmetric, which might be helpful to localise the CER into the upper layers of the epidermis. Release and penetration from the MEs was superior as compared to the hydrophilic cream (DAB). The rate and extent of CER [AP] released and penetrated from O/W MEs was better than W/O MEs.