Removal of ionic dyes with different charges by foam separation

Role of Alkyl Chain Length in Surfactant-Induced Precipitation of Reactive Brilliant Blue KN-R

To develop a cost-effective method for the effective removal of reactive brilliant blue KN-R (RBB KN-R) from wastewater, we investigated the interactions between RBB KN-R and three cationic surfactants with different alkyl chain lengths, namely dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Employing a conductivity analysis, surface tension analysis, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and molecular dynamics simulation, we ascertained that RBB KN-R formed a 1:1 molar ratio dye-surfactant complex with each surfactant through electrostatic attraction. Notably, an augmentation in alkyl chain length correlated with increased binding strength between RBB KN-R and the surfactant. The resulting dye-surfactant complex exhibited heightened surface activity, enabling interactions through hydrophobic forces to generate dye-surfactant aggregates when the molar ratio was below 1:1. Within these mixed aggregates, self-assembly of RBB KN-R molecules occurred, leading to the formation of dye aggregates. Due to the improved hydrophobicity with increased alkyl chain length, TTAB and CTAB could encapsulate dye aggregates within the mixed aggregates, but DTAB could not. The RBB KN-R aggregates tended to distribute on the surface of the RBB KN-R-DTAB mixed aggregates, resulting in low stability. Thus, at a DTAB concentration lower than CMC, insoluble particles readily formed and separated from surfactant aggregates at an RBB KN-R and DTAB molar ratio of 1:4. Analyzing the RBB KN-R precipitate through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and measuring the DTAB concentration in the supernate revealed that, at this molar ratio, all RBB KN-R precipitated from the dye-surfactant mixed solution, with only 7.5 ± 0.5% of DTAB present in the precipitate. Furthermore, the removal ratio of RBB KN-R reached nearly 100% within a pH range of 1.0 to 9.0 and standing time of 6 h. The salt type and concentration did not significantly affect the precipitation process. Therefore, this simultaneous achievement of successful RBB KN-R removal and effective separation from DTAB underscores the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Quantifying the Influence of Electrolytes on the Kinetics of Spontaneous Emulsification

This study quantifies the influence of electrolytes on the kinetics of the spontaneous emulsification phenomenon (SEP) of heavy hydrocarbons in a nonionic surfactant solution. The rate of emulsifying hexadecane in Triton X-100, with the presence of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, has been measured using a technique of monitoring single oil droplet photography. The emulsion droplet size produced in the process was measured under the same conditions by using dynamic light scattering. The data obtained from the two experiments were employed to investigate the mass transfer coefficient of the surfactant molecules through the intermediate layer formed between hexadecane and the surfactant solution. It was found that the electrolytes in an aqueous solution increase the surfactant diffusion rate through the intermediate layer and reduce the emulsion droplet size. As a result, both electrolytes reduce the rate of spontaneous emulsification, with potassium chloride having a more substantial reduction. A model was developed to quantify the influence of electrolytes on the kinetics of the SEP. The data and modeling results verify the influence of ions on the kinetics of spontaneous emulsification. The results provide a significant foundation for predicting the solubilization of heavy hydrocarbons in an electrolyte solution.

Preferential Removal of Alkali Metal Using Dodecanoic Acid and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Foam Separation System

The selectivity of adsorption between alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) based on the ionic functional groups of the surfactants was studied using two types of surfactants, dodecanoic acid (DA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), in the foam separation system. The results showed that Li⁺ was preferably removed by foam separation using DA. The removal rates of other alkali metal ions were relatively low, and there were no significant differences among other alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺). However, Cs⁺ exhibited the highest removal rate among the mixed alkali metals by foam separation using SDS. From these results, the selectivity of the alkali metal in foam separation was dependent on the type of surfactant.