Formation of Oil/Water Interface by Mixed Surface Active Ionic Liquid-Ethoxylated Alkyl Ether: Energetics, Microstructures, Solvation Dynamics, and Antimicrobial Activity

摘要

abstract_textpUsing the benefits of superior surface activity of surfactant-like ionic liquids (SAILs) and synergistic interaction of oppositely charged surfactants, herein we formulate the oil/water interface composed of equimolar composition of 1-hexadecyl-3-methy-limidazolium chloride (C(16)mimCl) and polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (Brij-58) for the first time. The primary role of cosurfactant to stabilize the interface of water-in-oil droplets was investigated by using isomeric cosurfactant (e.g., 1-pentanol and isoamyl alcohol). The distribution of cosurfactant in interfacial region of nano droplets and bulk oil was evaluated as a function of different hydration level, and temperature. Energetic studies revealed formation of the organized oil/water interface by releasing heat during transfer of cosurfactant from oil to interface. Droplet morphology was examined to visualize the effect of water content, and added Brij-58. Mechanistic information of percolation behaviour was discussed with help of DLS results. Various hydrogen bonding environment of entrapped water along with partitioning behaviour was established from novel fluorescence deconvolution method and correlated with FTIR and time-resolved fluorescence studies. The antimicrobial activity of microemulsions along with individual components was measured against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Mixed C(16)mimCl/Brij-58 micro-emulsion confirmed as efficient antimicrobial agent compared to the individual components./p/abstract_text