Interfacial properties of branch-tailed fluorinated surfactants yielding a water/supercritical CO2 microemulsion

Water-in-CO2 Microemulsions Stabilized by an Efficient Catanionic Surfactant

To facilitate potential applications of water-in-supercritical CO₂ microemulsions (W/CO₂ μEs) efficient and environmentally responsible surfactants are required with low levels of fluorination. As well as being able to stabilize water-CO₂ interfaces, these surfactants must also be economical, prevent bioaccumulation and strong adhesion, deactivation of enzymes, and be tolerant to high salt environments. Recently, an ion paired catanionic surfactant with environmentally acceptable fluorinated C₆ tails was found to be very effective at stabilizing W/CO₂ μEs with high water-to-surfactant molar ratios (W₀) up to ∼50 (Sagisaka, M.; et al. Langmuir 2019, 35, 3445-3454). As the cationic and anionic constituent surfactants alone did not stabilize W/CO₂ μEs, this was the first demonstration of surfactant synergistic effects in W/CO₂ microemulsions. The aim of this new study is to understand the origin of these intriguing effects by detailed investigations of nanostructure in W/CO₂ microemulsions using high-pressure small-angle neutron scattering (HP-SANS). These HP-SANS experiments have been used to determine the headgroup interfacial area and volume, aggregation number, and effective packing parameter (EPP). These SANS data suggest the effectiveness of this surfactant originates from increased EPP and decreased hydrophilic/CO₂-philic balance, related to a reduced effective headgroup ionicity. This surfactant bears separate C₆F₁₃ tails and oppositely charged headgroups, and was found to have a EPP value similar to that of a double C₄F₉-tail anionic surfactant (4FG(EO)₂), which was previously reported to be one of most efficient stabilizers for W/CO₂ μEs (maximum W₀ = 60-80). Catanionic surfactants based on this new design will be key for generating superefficient W/CO₂ μEs with high stability and water solubilization.

Analysis of Ginzburg-Landau-type models of surfactant-assisted liquid phase separation

In this paper diffuse interface models of surfactant-assisted liquid-liquid phase separation are addressed. We start from the generalized version of the Ginzburg-Landau free-energy-functional-based model of van der Sman and van der Graaf. First, we analyze the model in the constant surfactant approximation and show the presence of a critical point at which the interfacial tension vanishes. Then we determine the adsorption isotherms and investigate the validity range of previous results. As a key point of the work, we propose a new model of the van der Sman/van der Graaf type designed for avoiding both unwanted unphysical effects and numerical difficulties present in previous models. In order to make the model suitable for describing real systems, we determine the interfacial tension analytically more precisely and analyze it over the entire accessible surfactant load range. Emerging formulas are then validated by calculating the interfacial tension from the numerical solution of the Euler-Lagrange equations. Time-dependent simulations are also performed to illustrate the slowdown of the phase separation near the critical point and to prove that the dynamics of the phase separation is driven by the interfacial tension.

Amphiphile self-assemblies in supercritical CO2 and ionic liquids

Supercritical (sc) CO2 and ionic liquids (ILs) are very attractive green solvents with tunable properties. Using scCO2 and ILs as alternatives of conventional solvents (water and oil) for forming amphiphile self-assemblies has many advantages. For example, the properties and structures of the amphiphile self-assemblies in these solvents can be easily modulated by tuning the properties of solvents; scCO2 has excellent solvation power and mass-transfer characteristics; ILs can dissolve both organic and inorganic substances and their properties are designable to satisfy the requirements of various applications. Therefore, the amphiphile self-assemblies in scCO2 and ILs have attracted considerable attention in recent years. This review describes the advances of using scCO2 or/and ILs as amphiphile self-assembly media in the last decade. The amphiphile self-assemblies in scCO2 and ILs are first reviewed, followed by the discussion on combination of scCO2 and ILs in creating microemulsions or emulsions. Some future directions on the amphiphile self-assemblies in scCO2 and ILs are highlighted.

Nanostructures in water-in-CO2 microemulsions stabilized by double-chain fluorocarbon solubilizers

High-pressure small-angle neutron scattering (HP-SANS) studies were conducted to investigate nanostructures and interfacial properties of water-in-supercritical CO2 (W/CO2) microemulsions with double-fluorocarbon-tail anionic surfactants, having different fluorocarbon chain lengths and linking groups (glutarate or succinate). At constant pressure and temperature, the microemulsion aqueous cores were found to swell with an increase in water-to-surfactant ratio, W0, until their solubilizing capacities were reached. Surfactants with fluorocarbon chain lengths of n = 4, 6, and 8 formed spherical reversed micelles in supercritical CO2 even at W0 over the solubilizing powers as determined by phase behavior studies, suggesting formation of Winsor-IV W/CO2 microemulsions and then Winsor-II W/CO2 microemulsions. On the other hand, a short C2 chain fluorocarbon surfactant analogue displayed a transition from Winsor-IV microemulsions to lamellar liquid crystals at W0 = 25. Critical packing parameters and aggregation numbers were calculated by using area per headgroup, shell thickness, the core/shell radii determined from SANS data analysis: these parameters were used to help understand differences in aggregation behavior and solubilizing power in CO2. Increasing the microemulsion water loading led the critical packing parameter to decrease to ~1.3 and the aggregation number to increase to >90. Although these parameters were comparable between glutarate and succinate surfactants with the same fluorocarbon chain, decreasing the fluorocarbon chain length n reduced the critical packing parameter. At the same time, reducing chain length to 2 reduced negative interfacial curvature, favoring planar structures, as demonstrated by generation of lamellar liquid crystal phases.

Hybrid CO2-philic surfactants with low fluorine content

The relationships between molecular architecture, aggregation, and interfacial activity of a new class of CO(2)-philic hybrid surfactants are investigated. The new hybrid surfactant CF2/AOT4 [sodium (4H,4H,5H,5H,5H-pentafluoropentyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexyl)-2-sulfosuccinate] was synthesized, having one hydrocarbon chain and one separate fluorocarbon chain. This hybrid H-F chain structure strikes a fine balance of properties, on one hand minimizing the fluorine content, while on the other maintaining a sufficient level of CO(2)-philicity. The surfactant has been investigated by a range of techniques including high-pressure phase behavior, UV-visible spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and air-water (a/w) surface tension measurements. The results advance the understanding of structure-function relationships for generating CO(2)-philic surfactants and are therefore beneficial for expanding applications of CO(2) to realize its potential using the most economic and efficient surfactants.

Low fluorine content CO2-philic surfactants

The article addresses an important, and still unresolved question in the field of CO(2) science and technology: what is the minimum fluorine content necessary to obtain a CO(2)-philic surfactant? A previous publication (Langmuir 2002, 18, 3014) suggested there should be an ideal fluorination level: for optimization of possible process applications in CO(2), it is important to establish just how little F is needed to render a surfactant CO(2)-philic. Here, optimum chemical structures for water-in-CO(2) (w/c) microemulsion stabilization are identified through a systematic study of CO(2)-philic surfactant design based on dichain sulfosuccinates. High pressure small-angle neutron scattering (HP-SANS) measurements of reversed micelle formation in CO(2) show a clear relationship between F content and CO(2) compatibility of any given surfactant. Interestingly, high F content surfactants, having lower limiting aqueous surface tensions, γ(cmc), also have better performance in CO(2), as indicated by lower cloud point pressures, P(trans). The results have important implications for the rational design of CO(2)-philic surfactants helping to identify the most economic and efficient compounds for emerging CO(2) based fluid technologies.

Super-efficient surfactant for stabilizing water-in-carbon dioxide microemulsions

The fluorinated double-tailed glutarate anionic surfactant, sodium 1,5-bis[(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)oxy]-1,5-dioxopentane-2-sulfonate (8FG(EO)(2)), was found to stabilize water-in-supercritical CO(2) microemulsions with high water-to-surfactant molar ratios (W(0)). Studies were carried out here to obtain detailed information on the phase stability and nanostructure of the microemulsions by using a high-pressure UV-vis dye probe and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. The UV-vis spectra, with methyl orange as a reporter dye, indicated a maximum attainable W(0) of 60 at 45 and 75 °C, and SANS profiles indicated regular droplet swelling with a linear relationship between the water core nanodroplet radius and W(0). This represents the highest water solubilization reported to date for any water-in-CO(2) microemulsion. Further analysis of the SANS data indicated critical packing parameters for 8FG(EO)(2) at the microemulsion interface >1.34, representing approximately 1.1 times the value for common aerosol-OT in water-in-heptane microemulsions under equivalent conditions.

Removing Endotoxin from Metallic Biomaterials with Compressed Carbon Dioxide-Based Mixtures

Bacterial endotoxins have strong affinity for metallic biomaterials because of surface energy effects. Conventional depyrogenation methods may not eradicate endotoxins and may compromise biological properties and functionality of metallic instruments and implants. We evaluated the solubilization and removal of E. coli endotoxin from smooth and porous titanium (Ti) surfaces and stainless steel lumens using compressed CO(2)-based mixtures having water and/or surfactant Ls-54. The CO(2)/water/Ls-54 ternary mixture in the liquid CO(2) region (25 °C and 27.6 MPa) with strong mixing removed endotoxin below detection levels. This suggests that the ternary mixture penetrates and dissolves endotoxins from all the tested substrates. The successful removal of endotoxins from metallic biomaterials with compressed CO(2) is a promising cleaning technology for biomaterials and reusable medical devices.

Phase equilibrium for surfactant Ls-54 in liquid CO(2) with water and solubility estimation using the Peng-Robinson equation of state

It is known that the commercial surfactant Dehypon® Ls-54 is soluble in supercritical CO(2) and that it enables formation of water-in-CO(2) microemulsions. In this work we observed phase equilibrium for the Ls-54/CO(2) and Ls-54/water/CO(2) systems in the liquid CO(2) region, from 278.15 - 298.15 K. In addition, the Peng-Robinson equation of state (PREOS) was used to model the phase behavior of Ls-54/CO(2) binary system as well as to estimate water solubilities in CO(2). Ls-54 in CO(2) can have solubilities as high as 0.086 M at 278.15 K and 15.2 MPa. The stability of the microemulsion decreases with increasing concentration of water, and lower temperatures favor increased solubility of water into the one-phase microemulsion. The PREOS model showed satisfactory agreement with the experimental data for both Ls-54/CO(2) and water/CO(2) systems.

Morphology and stability of CO2-in-water foams with nonionic hydrocarbon surfactants

The morphologies, stabilities, and viscosities of high-pressure carbon dioxide-in-water (C/W) foams (emulsions) formed with branched nonionic hydrocarbon surfactants were investigated by in situ optical microscopy and capillary rheology. Over two dozen hydrocarbon surfactants were shown to stabilize C/W foams with Sauter mean bubble diameters as low as 1 to 2 microm. Coalescence of the C/W foam bubbles was rare for bubbles larger than about 0.5 microm over a 60 h time frame, and Ostwald ripening became very slow. By better blocking of the CO(2) and water phases with branched and double-tailed surfactants, the interfacial tension decreases, the surface pressure increases, and the C/W foams become very stable. For branched surfactants with propylene oxide middle groups, the stabilities were markedly lower for air/water foams and decane-water emulsions. The greater stability of the C/W foams to coalescence may be attributed to a smaller capillary pressure, lower drainage rates, and a sufficient surface pressure and thus limiting surface elasticity, plus small film sizes, to hinder spatial and surface density fluctuations that lead to coalescence. Unexpectedly, the foams were stable even when the surfactant favored the CO(2) phase over the water phase, in violation of Bancroft's rule. This unusual behavior is influenced by the low drainage rate, which makes Marangoni stabilization of less consequence and the strong tendency of emerging holes in the lamella to close as a result of surfactant tail flocculation in CO(2). The high distribution coefficient toward CO(2) versus water is of significant practical interest for mobility control in CO(2) sequestration and enhanced oil recovery by foam formation.

Rod-like micelles thicken CO(2)

A new approach to thicken dense liquid CO(2) is described using the principles of self-assembly of custom-made CO(2) compatible fluorinated dichain surfactants. Solutions of surfactants in CO(2) have been investigated by high-pressure phase behavior, small-angle neutron scattering (HP-SANS) and falling cylinder viscosity experiments. The results show that it is possible to control surfactant aggregation to generate long, thin reversed micellar rods in dense CO(2), which at 10 wt % can lead to viscosity enhancements of up to 90% compared to pure CO(2). This represents the first example of CO(2) viscosity modifiers based on anisotropic reversed micelles.

Self-assembly in green solvents

Recent advances in design of surfactants and polymers for liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide, and partially fluorinated alkanes, are reviewed. The focus is on surfactant structure-performance relationships, development of non-fluorinated surfactants, and applications of CO2 continuous dispersions for nanoparticle and organic synthesis. Future prospects for these emerging technologies are discussed, including the need for economically viable and environmentally friendly stabilizers for CO2 dispersions.

Reverse aqueous emulsions and microemulsions in HFA227 propellant stabilized by non-ionic ethoxylated amphiphiles

In this work we use in situ high-pressure tensiometry to screen non-ionic ethoxylated surfactants at the 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFA227) propellant|Water (HFA227|W) interface. The EO(n)PO( approximately )(30)EO(n) series, where EO stands for ethylene oxide and PO for propylene oxide, and n the number of repeat EO units, was selected for this study based on the favorable interactions reported between HFA propellants and the PO moiety. The surfactants used in FDA-approved pressurized metered-dose inhaler formulations were also investigated. Tension measurements provide not only information on the relative activity of the different surfactants in the series, but they also serve as a guide for selecting an appropriate candidate for the formation of reverse aggregates based on the surfactant natural curvature. Moreover, the effect of ethanol and the chemistry of the surfactant tail group on the surfactant activity were also investigated. Surfactants with hydrogenated tails are not capable of forming stable water-in-HFA227 microemulsions. This is true even at very low tensions observed when in the presence of ethanol, indicating the lack of affinity between HFA227 and hydrogenated moieties-the surfactant does not tend to curve about water. On the other hand, PO-based amphiphiles can significantly reduce the tension of the HFA227|W interface. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and UV-vis spectroscopy results also reveal that a selected ethoxylated amphiphile (EO(13)PO(30)EO(13) at 1mM concentration), when in the presence of ethanol, is capable of forming stable cylindrical reverse aqueous microemulsions. EO(13)PO(30)EO(13) is also capable of forming emulsions of water-in-HFA227 that are fairly stable against coalescence. Such dispersions are potential candidates for the delivery of small polar solutes and larger therapeutic biomolecules to and through the lungs in the form of pMDI formulations, and in other medical sprays.

Water/supercritical CO2 microemulsions with mixed surfactant systems

Phase behavior was investigated for water/supercritical CO 2 (W/scCO2) microemulsions stabilized with sodium bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (8FS(EO) 2) mixed with various guest surfactants. Only for the mixtures with fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid anionic surfactants (FC6-HC n), the maximum water-to-surfactant molar ratio (W0(c)) was larger than that estimated from linear interpolation of the W0(c) values for pure 8FS(EO) 2 and pure guest surfactant. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurement for the microemulsion revealed that the mixing of 8FS(EO) 2 with FC6-HC n can prevent a phase transition from the microemulsion to the liquid crystal even in the presence of excess water. It was also found from the measurement of water/scCO 2 interfacial tension that the area occupied per surfactant molecule was markedly increased by the mixing with FC6-HC n. The loose molecular packing, probably due to a microsegregation of 8FS(EO) 2 and FC6-HC n, is consistent with the enhanced stability of the microemulsion upon surfactant mixing.

Ethoxylated copolymersurfactants for the HFA134a- interface: interfacial activity, aggregate microstructure and biomolecule uptake

In this work we examine the aggregation behavior of ethoxylated copolymer surfactants in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in the presence of water, and the ability of such aggregates to uptake a model biomolecule. Our approach consists of developing a rational framework for understanding the behavior of interfacially active species at the HFA134a-water (HFA134a|W) interface using a combination of in situ high-pressure tensiometry, spectroscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The optimum hydrophilic-to-HFA-philic balance (HFB) for the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EOnPO∼43EOn, where subscripts indicate the number of repeat units) surfactant series at the HFA134a|W interface was determined at 298 K and saturation pressure of the propellant (under pressure). The selection of promising candidates for the reverse aggregate formation studies was based on the tension vs. HFB scan. Tensiometric information revealed that EO3PO43EO3 occupies a very large area per molecule at the HFA134a|W interface, which represents a general trend for compressible solvents that are small and also able to interact with water more favorably than alkane solvents. The water solubilization capacity of the EO3PO43EO3 surfactant was investigated in situ by UV-vis spectroscopy, with a suitable solvatochromic probe. At a surfactant concentration above the determined critical aggregation concentration, a shift in the absorption maximum of the probe towards that of pure water was observed as the water-to-surfactant ratio increases. A similar but more pronounced shift was observed in the presence of a co-solvent. The nature of the aqueous environment associated with the aggregates is discussed based on the spectroscopic results. The microstructure of the aggregates is investigated by SANS. Scattering curves were also used to confirm the uptake of a model protein in the reverse aggregates. The relevance of this work stems from the fact that reverse aggregates of water in HFA134a are potential candidate formulations for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs, including biomolecules, to and through the lungs.

Biocompatible, lactide-based surfactants for the CO2-water interface: high-pressure contact angle goniometry, tensiometry, and emulsion formation

The unique properties of compressed CO2, including its low cost, nontoxicity, easily tunable solvent strength, and favorable transport properties, make it an environmentally attractive alternative to volatile organic solvents. Suitable surface-active species can be utilized to realize the full potential of clean, CO2-based technologies, by helping to overcome the low solubility typically associated with many solutes of interest in CO2. In this work we synthesize and investigate the interfacial activity of a series of nonionic amphiphiles with a biocompatible and biodegradable CO2-phile at both the CO2-water (C|W) and CO2-water-solid (C|W|S) interfaces. We developed a high-pressure pendant drop tensiometer and contact angle goniometer that allows us to measure both tension and contact angle in tandem. The tension of the C|W interface was measured in the presence of the lactide (LA)-based surface active agents with varying molecular weight and hydrophilic-to-CO2-philic ratios. Emulsion studies with an optimum balanced surfactant were performed. The contact angle of water droplets against a silane-modified (hydrophobic) substrate under CO2 atmosphere was also measured in presence of a selected LA-based amphiphile. The results demonstrate that the nonionic copolymers with the biodegradable and biocompatible LA-based group can significantly reduce the tension of the C|W interface. The LA-based surface active species are also capable of forming stable emulsions of water and CO2 and reducing the angle of the three-phase C|W|S contact line.

Optimum tail length of fluorinated double-tail anionic surfactant for water/supercritical CO2 microemulsion formation

The effect of surfactant tail structure on the stability of a water/supercritical CO2 microemulsion (W/scCO2 muE) was examined for various fluorinated double-tail anionic surfactants of different fluorocarbon chain lengths, F(CF2)n (n = 4, 6, 8, and 10), and oxyethylene spacer lengths, (CH2CH2O)(m/2) (m = 2 and 4). The phase behavior of the water/surfactant/CO2 systems was studied over a wide range of CO2 densities from 0.70 to 0.85 g/cm(3) (temperatures from 35 to 75 degrees C and pressures up to 500 bar) and corrected water-to-surfactant molar ratios (W0c). All of the surfactants yielded a W/scCO2 muE phase, that is, a transparent homogeneous phase with a water content larger than that permitted by the solubility of water in pure CO2. With increasing W0c, a phase transition occurred from the muE phase to a macroemulsion or a lamella-like liquid crystal phase. The maximum W0c value was obtained at a tail length of 12-14 A, indicating the presence of an optimum surfactant tail length for W/scCO2 muE formation.

Surfactant-mixing effects on the interfacial tension and the microemulsion formation in water/supercritical CO2 system

The effects of surfactant mixing on interfacial tension and on microemulsion formation were examined for systems of air/water and water/supercritical CO2 (scCO2) interfaces and for water/scCO2 microemulsions. A fluorinated surfactant, sodium bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (8FS(EO)2), was mixed with the three hydrocarbon surfactants, Pluronic L31, Tergitol TMN-6, and decyltrimethylammonium chloride (DeTAC), at equimolar ratio. For all the cases, the interfacial tension was significantly lowered by the mixing. The positive synergistic effect suggests that the mixed surfactants tend to pack more closely on the interface than the pure constituents. It was found, however, that the microemulsion formation in scCO2 was never facilitated by the mixing, except for the case of TMN-6. This is probably due to the segregation of the surfactants into hydrocarbon-rich and fluorocarbon-rich phases on the microemulsion surface.

Tailoring Porous Silica Films through Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Processing of Fluorinated Surfactant Templates

The tailoring of porous silica thin films synthesized using perfluoroalkylpyridinium chloride surfactants as templating agents is achieved as a function of carbon dioxide processing conditions and surfactant tail length and branching. Well-ordered films with 2D hexagonal close-packed pore structure are obtained from sol-gel synthesis using the following cationic fluorinated surfactants as templates: 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-octyl)pyridinium chloride (HFOPC), 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-7-trifluoromethyl -octyl)pyridinium chloride (HFDoMePC), and 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-heptadecafluoro-decyl)pyridinium chloride (HFDePC). Processing the sol-gel film with CO2 (69-172 bar, 25 and 45 degrees C) immediately after coating results in significant increases in pore diameter relative to the unprocessed thin films (increasing from 20% to 80% depending on surfactant template and processing conditions). Pore expansion increases with CO2 processing pressure, surfactant tail length, and surfactant branching. The varying degree of CO2 induced expansion is attributed to the solvation of the "CO2-philic" fluorinated tail and is interpreted from interfacial behavior of HFOPC, HFDoMePC, and HFDePC at the CO2-water interface.

Surfactants for CO2

For some 15 years the attainment of efficient, nonfluorinated CO2-active surfactants has been a Holy Grail for researchers spanning pure and applied chemical sciences. This article tells the story of small-molecule CO2-active surfactants, from the first tentative observations with fluorinated compounds in 1991 up to recently discovered fluorine-free oxygenated amphiphiles.

Surfactant design for the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane-water interface: ab initio calculations and in situ high-pressure tensiometry

In situ high-pressure tensiometry and ab initio calculations were used to rationally design surfactants for the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane-water (HFA134a|W) interface. Nonbonded pair interaction (binding) energies (E(b)) of the complexes between HFA134a and candidate surfactant tails were used to quantify the HFA-philicity of selected moieties. The interaction between HFA134a and an ether-based tail was shown to be predominantly electrostatic in nature and much more favorable than that between HFA134a and a methyl-based fragment. The interfacial activity of (i) amphiphiles typically found in FDA-approved pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) formulations, (ii) a series of nonionic surfactants with methylene-based tails, and (iii) a series of nonionic surfactants with ether-based tails was investigated at the HFA134a|W interface using in situ tensiometry. This is the first time that the tension of the surfactant-modified HFA134a|W interface has been reported in the literature. The ether-based surfactants were shown to be very interfacially active, with tension decreasing by as much as 27 mN.m(-)(1). However, the methyl-based surfactants, including those from FDA-approved formulations, did not exhibit high activity at the HFA134a|W interface. These results are in direct agreement with the E(b) calculations. Significant differences in interfacial activity are noted for surfactants at the 2H,3H-perfluoropentane (HPFP)|water and HFA134a|W interfaces. Care should be taken, therefore, when results from the mimicking solvent (HPFP) are extrapolated to HFA134a-based systems. The results shown here are of relevance in the selection of surfactants capable of forming and stabilizing reverse aqueous aggregates in HFA-based pMDIs, which are promising formulations for the systemic delivery of biomolecules to and through the lungs.