Effect of butanol and cholesterol on the conductance of AOT-aided water/xylene microemulsion

Abstract

The conductance behaviour of water- in-oil (W/O) microemulsions formed by xylene and AOT has been studied at different temperatures in the presence of cholesterol, butanol, benzyl alcohol and crown ether. The dependence of conductance on the degree of rigidity of the interface between water and oil in the microemulsion as affected by the additives has been analysed. The increased conductance at higher temperatures is explained in terms of the coalescence of dispersed water particles of microdimensions, followed by exchange of Na+ ions. Two distinct values of energy of activation for conductance have been obtained in the temperature range below and above 35°C. The temperature-dependent viscosity behavior of the microemulsion has been also studied.