Determination of surface tension
and critical micellar concentration
of a surfactant (commercial as well
as natural)
Presented By :
Ahana Rawat
Akansha Shukla
Amruta Bhalkar
Anmol
Dipesh Somvanshi
Surface Tension
Surface Tension
The tension of the surface film of a liquid caused by the
attraction of the particles in the surface layer by the bulk
of the liquid, which tends to minimize surface area.
Surface active reagent / Surfactant
Surfactant are compounds that lower surface tension between
two liquids, gas and a liquid or solid and a liquid.
Different methods of surface
tension determination
● Capillary Rise Method
● Stalagmometer method -
Drop Weight Method
● Wilhelmy Plate or Ring
method
Drop weight method using
Stalagmometer
For a fixed volume, the surfactant is
dropped and number of drops is counted.
Mass of each drop is calculated. When
mass of 1 drop equals to surface tension
multiplied by circumference, the drop falls
from the tube and we can find out surface
tension.
Stalagmometer from Sodium Dodecyl
PCL Sulphate from PCL
Suck the surfactant using a bulb Adjust the rate using the clamp
PCL, Insitute of Chemistry, Mumbai
Count the number of drops from the beginning of
the markings to the end of markings.
PCL, Institute of Chemistry, Mumbai
Critical Micelle Concentration
Micelles
In aqueous solution, molecules having both polar or charged groups and non
polar regions (amphiphilic molecules) form aggregates are called micelles
.
http://www.whatischemistry.unina.it/en/micella.html
Critical Micelle Concentration
● The lowest concentration at which micelles first
appear is called Critical Micelle Concentration.
● CMC is the concentration of molecules in the bulk
phase, above which aggregate molecules (micelles)
start to form.
● As the concentration of surfactant increases, the
molecules orient themselves at the surface, until no
more molecules can accommodate.
● This concentration is called Critical Micelle
Concentration, above which molecules clump
together in the liquid bulk, forming micelles.
Determination of CMC
● Solutions of different concentrations from the given
0.1 M SDS solution are to be made.
● Conductivity of different solutions will be measured
by conductivity meter.
● Conductivity Vs Concentration graph will be plotted
● Inflection point will give CMC.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Conductivity-ch-of-aqueous-solution-as-a-function-of-PEG-10-tallow-at-25-C_fig1_261878255
Precautions: Clean the electrode properly
with distilled water and ethanol
Advantages: Simple
Limitations: Cannot be used for non ionic
surfactants.
REFERENCES
1. Mukerjee, P., and K. J. Mysels, Critical Micelle Concentrations of Aqueous Surfactant
Systems, NSRDS—NBS-36; Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. USA, 1971. Now available from National Technical Information
Center, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161,
2. http://151.fosu.edu.cn/hxsy/wulihuaxueshiyan/my%20web/biaomianhuoxingji%20y.htm
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4. http://1chemistry.blogspot.com/2011/08/determination-of-critical-micelle.html
5. AULTON 3rd EDITION
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lle-concentration-cmc-and-surfactant-concentration%2F&psig=AOvVaw1dKjMTcGmPGFZ
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Thank you.
