Spontaneous formation of gel emulsions in organic solvents and commercial fuels induced by a novel class of amino acid derivatized surfactants.
A novel class of amphiphiles, sodium N-(n-dodecyl-2-aminoethanoyl)-l-amino acidate, have been synthesized. These amphiphiles have been shown to form oil-in-water-type gel emulsions with a high internal-phase ratio in organic solvents as well as in commercial fuels simply by agitation. No heating and cooling cycle was required for the formation of gels. The amphiphiles also showed efficient phase-selective gelation in the presence of excess water. The minimum gelator concentrations for the amphiphiles in the solvents employed have been determined. The effects of the chain length of the hydrocarbon tail and the chirality of a representative amphiphile on its ability to promote gelation in a given organic solvent have been investigated. Also, the effect of acid and alkali on the gelation has been examined. The optical microscopic picture of the gel emulsion showed foamlike structures with oil compartments separated by the continuous aqueous phase. The mechanism of the formation of gel emulsions has been discussed.
Khatua
Dibyendu
D
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
Dey
Joykrishna
J
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D000596:Amino Acids; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents