-
Comparing surfactant efficacy
I would like to find out which of my various surfactant blends is the best at cutting oil.
I created 1.2% solutions of my surfactant blends into 1 liter mason jars. Each sample was made with freshly boiled tap water, that ranged from 122-130 degrees Fahrenheit. Each sample received the same amount of canola oil and then inverted the same # of times, then just left to meditate on the meaning of life….(a joke. That’s supposed to be a joke).
Sample #3 was the worst. The bubble layer began to collapse before my eyes ? as I added canola oil.The store-bought brand’s bubble layer was also disappointing, compared to my samples 1,2, 4,5 & 6.
Is the bubble height that can be seen in the jars a good way to determine WHICH sample is the best for cutting oil?
OR is there a better (or good, if MY way is terrible) way to test a surfactant blend’s oil-cutting quality?
-
2 Replies
-
Bubble hight is just one measure of many and more helpful for shampoo formulations.Clarity of the solution may be another (though it is just a measure of droplet size).Stability of the emulsion is what counts. This can be seen by absence of creaming (the milky layer between water and foam) and/or excess oil sticking to the jar.‘Best’ depends on your expectations, requirements, intended use etc.Number 3 might be best because it might be able to hold the highest amount of oil even if foam is absent. ‘Foaming molecules’ aren’t necessarily suitable for interacting with oils or creating stable emulsions. -
Obviously, I left out VITAL information! ? . I am sorry.
This is a BAR of surfactants that I made. I made a 1.2% solution out of my various bars by cutting the appropriate mass of each bar.
I want to use the BEST bar for washing dishes.
#3 has 40% sodium cocosulfate (SCS) in its make-up. I thought that since this is used in a highly diluted fashion (the BAR is put into the kitchen sink as it gets filled with hot water), it is not over the recommended safe level to use once it’s so diluted in the sink.
PLUS I do not intend to wash my eyes with this bar. Ha ha ha ha!
Log in to reply.
