Solubilization characteristics of paraffin oil in different types of surfactants

Solubilization characteristics of paraffin oil in water were studied in presence of three types of surface active agents at 25°C. The solubilization process was discussed based on several factors including chemical structure of the used surfactants, chemical structure of solubilizate [carbon distribution of the used paraffin oil], and surface activities of the tested surfactants including critical micelle concentration [cmc] and aggregation number [n]. The solubilization time relationship showed that the chemical structure of surfactant molecules was the most effective factor influencing the solubilization process. In addition, the steps of solubilization process were discussed using the paraffin-surfactants solubilization extent profile