ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 40, Number 1
JKCSEZ 40(1)
February 20, 1996 

Gibbs' adsorption isotherms are studied to assay the structural effects of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) moieties on the molecular area and the interfacial tension behavior of molecules at the interface. Several industrial alcohols and isomerically pure alcohols, which have a general stucture of C4H9O(EO)m(PO)nH, are examined for their cosurfactant properties. They are high molecular weight alcohols and more surface active than the cosurfactants usually used. Results show that the number and the sequence of EO and PO units significantly affect the molecular areas and the interfacial tension (IFT) behavior of these molecules at the water/oil interface. The following conclusions are drawn from the result: 1) PO is more efficient in lowering the IFT and less effective in adsorption than EO. 2) For molecules having the same molecular weight but different structures, smaller molecules are more efficient in lowering the IFT. 3) When more EO, PO, or both units are added to the same hydrophobe, the molecule become bigger and more efficient in lowering the IFT.