SOLUBILIZATION IN NONIONIC MICROEMULSIONS

The effect of electrolyte concentration on the solubilization capacity in cosolvent-free oil-continuous nonionic microemulsions was investigated. Depending upon the type of electrolyte employed, the solubilization capacity in the nonionic microemulsions was enhanced or diminished. Combined with data from the literature on the effect of temperature on solubilization capacity in similar systems, the validity of a proposed semi-empirical correlation was tested. This correlation employs a simple exponential equation and can quite reasonably mimic experimental trends over a large range of temperature and electrolyte concentrations. The major advantage of this correlation is the minimal number of parameters required to predict the solubilization behavior over a wide range of variables. Its simplicity provides a quick method of extrapolating solubilization data.