Designed CO2-Philes Stabilize Water-in-Carbon Dioxide Microemulsions

摘要

Herein is reported the first direct structural evidence for the formation of nanodomains in water-in-carbon dioxide (w/c) microemulsions by two non-fluorinated surfactants. Generation of O-surfactants, by incorporating oxygen into the surfactant tails, significantly improves CO2-philicity, affording stabilization of w/c structures. Tests with standard hydrocarbon surfactants (H-surfactants) demonstrate that they are unable to support true w/c phases (see Supporting Information). This finding represents an important step forward in the design of commercially viable and environmentally responsible CO2-philes, which has potential to expand research and commercial applications with supercritical or liquid CO2 as a solvent.