Effect of Oxyethylene Groups of Fatty Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether Sodium Sulfates on Equilibrium and Dynamic Surface Tension in Relation to Wetting Properties

The effect of hydrophilic chain of surfactants fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sodium sulphates (AEnS, n = 2, 3, 7) on surface properties and wetting properties was investigated by the measurement of equilibrium surface tension, dynamic surface tension and dynamic contact angle. The fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sodium sulphates with different head group sizes were used. From the results of equilibrium surface tension measurements, we could obtain the critical micellisation concentration, adsorption efficiency, maximum surface excess concentration and Langmuir equilibrium adsorption constant at air/liquid interface. The dynamic surface tension results showed that the adsorption of aqueous solutions at the air/liquid interface follows a mixed-diffusion kinetic adsorption mechanism. In conclusion, for both studied surfactant, the longer the oxyethylene chains, the higher the maximum rate of surface tension reduction, the higher the diffusivity and wetting properties in terms of contact angle.

AEO-7 surfactant is “super toxic” and induces severe cardiac, liver and locomotion damage in zebrafish embryos

Background Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether-7 (AEO-7), a non-ionic surfactant, has recently been receiving extensive attention from the ocean pipeline industry for its ability to inhibit corrosion. However, the present lack of information concerning the potential environmental toxicity of AEO-7, especially towards aquatic organisms, is a major impediment to its wider application. Here, we assess potential adverse effects of AEO-7 on zebrafish embryos employing a variety of assays, including (i) a mortality/survival assay which allowed the median lethal concentration (LC50) to be calculated; (ii) a teratogenicity assay on the basis of which the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) was determined; and (iii) specific assays of cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity (based on locomotion), hematopoietic toxicity (the level of hemoglobin as revealed by o-dianisidine staining) and hepatotoxicity (liver steatosis and yolk retention examined by staining with Oil Red O). Results AEO-7 caused mortality with a calculated LC50 of 15.35 μg/L, which, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Acute Toxicity Rating scale, should be considered “super toxic”. Although at its NOEC (0.8 μg/L), there were no signs of significant teratogenicity, cardiotoxicity, or hemopoiesis toxicity, 3.2 µg/L AEO-7 exerted dramatic detrimental effects on organ development. Conclusion On the basis of these findings, we recommend that the industrial usage and environmental impact of AEO-7 be re-evaluated and strictly monitored by environmental and public health organizations.

Facile Synthesis of Super-Microporous Titania–Alumina with Tailored Framework Properties

Super-microporous material (pore size 1–2 nm) can bridge the pore size gap between the zeolites (<1 nm) and the mesoporous oxides (>2 nm). A series of super-microporous titania–alumina materials has been successfully prepared via a facile one-pot evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) strategy by different solvents using fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO-7) as the template. Moreover, no extra acid or base is added in our synthesis process. When titanium isopropylate is used as the titanium source, these materials exhibit high BET surface areas (from 275 to 396 m2/g) and pore volumes (from 0.14 to 0.18 cm3/g). The sample prepared using methanol as the solvent shows the largest Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 396 m2/g. When tetrabutyl titanate is used as the titanium source, these materials exhibit high BET surface areas (from 282 to 396 m2/g) and pore volumes (from 0.13 to 0.18 cm3/g). The sample prepared using ethanol as the solvent shows the largest BET surface area of 396 m2/g.

Synthesis and Performances of Fatty Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether Sulfonate

Background: Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfonate (AESO) was synthesized by the following two steps reactions: fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether 5 (AEO-5) reacted with metallic sodium to form sodium alkoxide, then in toluene solvent, the sodium alkoxide reacted with 2-chloroethyl sulfonate sodium to form AESO. Methodology: The reaction factors, such as temperature, reaction time and reactant ratio, which effect on the product yield were discussed. The products were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra in order to examine the aim of the product synthesized. The AESO performances including thermal stability, salt resistance, emulsifying and surface properties were studied. Results: The results show that the optimum conditions of AESO synthesis are as follows: the reaction temperature is 64oC, the reaction time is 5h, the molar ratio of chloroethyl sulfonate sodium and sodium alkoxide is 1.2:1. In the above reaction conditions, the AESO has the highest yield, which is 74.43% and its purity is 89.25%. AESO’s surface properties, thermal stability, and salt resistance are much better than that of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (AES). The AESO presents the best emulsifying performance at the concentration of 1250mg/L. Conclusion: The solubility of AES and AESO are all increased due to the EO groups’ existence and their hard water resistances are better than that of lauryl sodium sulfate. The foamability test shows that AESO has the best foaming ability at the concentration of 1480mg/L, which decreases with the increase of the Ca2+ concentration, but the foam stability increases. It can be seen that AESO has favorable resistance to high temperature and high salinity.