Micellar properties in aqueous solution of a series of synthesised non-ionic detergents

Macfarlane, Calum B (1964) Micellar properties in aqueous solution of a series of synthesised non-ionic detergents. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In the first part of the thesis a review of the chemistry of the polyoxyethylene type non-ionic detergents is given. The preparation by ethylene oxide polymerisation and other synthetic routes of the polyoxyethylene glycols and their monoalkyl ether condensates is reported and a resume made of the existing work on the formation and structure of the micelles of these detergents in aqueous solutions the effects of temperatures electrolytes 1, and solubilisates on these propertiess and their surface activity. The theory of the determination of molecular weights of both large and small particles by light-scatterings and the relationship between the viscosity of solutions of macromolecules and solute shape and solvations is outlined. Part 2 The synthesis of a series of non-ionic detergents, based on hexadecyl alcohols containing a definite oxyethylene chain length is described. The series has the general formula CH3(CH2)15(OCH2CH2)nOH, and six members having n 6a v. 70 90 12,E 15v and.21 respectively, have been prepared (for ease of handling the names of these compounds have been abbreviated to Hn6, Hn7,...Hn21). Some of their physical properties are reported. The critical micellar concentrations (cmc's.) of these materials in aqueous solution have been investigated using the Wilhelmy plate method for measuring surface tension; cm's. were determined from plots of surface tension; vs. log. concentration. Very small critical micellar concentrations were obtained. A light-scattering photometer has been constructed and calibrated. Using the Hn9 detergent and the results from the calibration of the photometers a statistical analysis of most of the errors in the measurement of molecular weight by light-scattering has been carried out and it is shown that the largest part of the error arises in the measurement of the turbidities of the solutions rather than from the measurement of the specific refractive. index increment or depolarization. A study of aqueous solutions of the synthesised detergents has been made at 25

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: P H Elworthy
• Keywords: Physical chemistry
• Date of Award: 1964
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1964-73353
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73353