Sugar-Based Surfactants: Effects of Structural Features on the Physicochemical Properties of Sugar Esters and Their Comparison to Commercial Octyl Glycosides.

Two series of sugar esters with alkyl chain lengths varying from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, and with a head group consisting of glucose or galactose moieties, were synthesized. Equilibrium surface tension isotherms were measured, yielding critical micellar concentration (CMC) surface tensions at CMC (γcmc) and minimum areas at the air-water interface (Amin). In addition, Krafft temperatures (Tks) were measured to characterize the ability of molecules to dissolve in water, which is essential in numerous applications.

Monitoring the formation kinetics of a bicontinuous microemulsion.

Hypotheses: The performance of bicontinuous microemulsions is usually assessed on the characteristics of the middle phase at equilibrium. However, applied to Enhanced Oil Recovery, such an evaluation would not be representative of the structure and composition of fluids in reservoir rocks. Studies on the properties of non-equilibrated microemulsions are still needed to better understand the formation of such complex systems, in particular to optimize input parameters of process simulation tools.

Catalytic Synthesis of a New Series of Alkyl Uronates and Evaluation of Their Physicochemical Properties.

Large quantities (>3 g) of a new series of alkyl uronates were synthesized in two steps from commercial methyl hexopyranosides. Firstly, several tens of grams of free methyl α-d-glucopyranoside were selectively and quantitatively oxidized into corresponding sodium uronate using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy free radical (TEMPO)-catalyzed oxidation. Hydrophobic chains of different length were then introduced by acid-mediated esterification with fatty alcohols (ethyl to lauryl alcohol) leading to the desired alkyl glucuronates with moderate to good yields (49%-72%).

Physico-chemical properties and cytotoxic effects of sugar-based surfactants: Impact of structural variations.

Surfactants derived from the biorefinery process can present interesting surface-active properties, low cytotoxicity, high biocompatibility and biodegradability. They are therefore considered as potential sustainable substitutes to currently used petroleum-based surfactants. To better understand and anticipate their performances, structure-property relationships need to be carefully investigated.

Mixed O/W emulsions stabilized by solid particles: a model system for controlled mass transfer triggered by surfactant addition.

This article deals with a model mixed oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion system developed to study the effect of surfactants on mass transfer between dispersed oil droplets of different composition. In this purpose, our goal was to formulate O/W emulsions without any surface active agents as stabilizer, which was achieved by replacing surfactants by a mixture of hydrophilic/hydrophobic silica particles. Then, to study the specific role of surfactants in the oil transfer process, different types and concentrations of surfactants were added to the mixed emulsion after its preparation.