Yining Lin and Paschalis Alexandridis authored a research study entitled “Self-Assembly Of An Amphiphilic Siloxane Graft Copolymer In Water” which was featured in the Journal of Physical Chemistry. The researchers probed the self-assembly behavior of silicone containing surfactants in water with a variety of experimental techniques. To ensure that data gathered was accurate, the researchers used dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis with a Brookhaven BI-200SM Goniometer.
Spectrophotometry was used to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in an aqueous solution of a poly (dimethylsiloxane)-graftpolyether copolymer. The polyether consisted of both ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO). The local environment (micropolarity and microviscosity) in the interior of the micelles was then assessed. It is significant to note that spectroscopic techniques based either on optical absorption or on emission of light from probe molecules are well established for investigating CMC in various surfactant solutions. After this was done, the researchers then addressed the structure of the micelles formed. The micelle core radius and structure evolution were investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The micelle hydrodynamic radius and size distribution were obtained through DLS using Brookhaven’s BI-200SM Goniometer. Through the data gathered, the researchers were able to effectively describe the self-assembly behavior of silicone-containing surfactants in water.
Silicone-containing surfactants is an area of scientific interest as it is used in numerous applications including polyurethane foams, cosmetics, textiles, agricultural adjuvants, coatings, and inks. In such research for these applications, experts use reliable equipment to ensure that the data they are gathering is consistent and precise. Brookhaven Instruments offers reliable, technologically competitive and cost effective analytical equipment, including the BI-200SM Goniometer.
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