Effects of Bentonite Nanoclay and Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide Modified Bentonite Nanoclay on Phase Inversion of Water-in-Oil Emulsions

Abstract

The effects of unmodified and modified bentonite nanoclays (with various degrees of surfactant modification) on the catastrophic phase inversion from water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion to oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion were determined experimentally. The bentonite nanoclay (NC-Bt) was suspended in the aqueous phase, and the critical volume fraction of water where phase inversion from W/O to O/W emulsion took place was determined through conductivity measurements. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a surfactant to modify the nanoclay. The adsorption of CTAB onto nanoclay had a strong influence on the contact angle and the critical volume fraction of water where phase inversion took place. The modification of the nanoclay brought about by the adsorption of CTAB increased the three-phase contact angle (measured through the aqueous phase), thereby making it more hydrophobic, and prolonged the phase inversion point. CTAB alone and CTAB-modified nanoclay delayed the phase inversion process in a similar manner, showing a strong dependence on the CTAB concentration.