CO2-Responsive Wormlike Micelles Based on Pseudo-Tetrameric Surfactant

Abstract

Wormlike micelles, which are linear aggregates created by the self-assembly of surfactants, may entangle to form dynamic three-dimensional network-like structures, endowing solutions with considerable macroscopic viscoelasticity. Recently, a pressing need has arisen to research a novel stimuli-responsive worm-like micelle that is efficient and environmentally friendly. CO2 is an inexpensive, abundant, non-toxic, biocompatible, and non-combustible gas, and it is anticipated that CO2 may serve as the trigger for stimuli-responsive worm-like micelles. In this paper, the formation of CO2-switchable pseudo-tetrameric surfactants, which subsequently self-assemble into CO2-switched wormlike micelles, is accomplished using a simple mixing of two commercial reagents, such as stearic acids and cyclen. The rheological characteristics switched by the use of CO2 are cycled between that of a low-viscosity (1.2 mPa·s) fluid and a viscoelastic fluid (worm-like micelles, 3000 mPa·s). This article expands the field of study on stimuli-responsive worm-like micelles.

Investigation of the Stability Mechanism of Stimulus-Responsive Wormlike Micelle-CO2 Foams in the Oil Phase

“…After solving the problem of foam system injection in the early stage of tertiary recovery, researchers began to consider the performance and optimization of foam systems in the later stage after injection into the ground. Wei et al 15 investigated the CO 2 response of foams constructed from stearic acids and cyclen. By using time, concentration, and functional groups as important experimental factors, they showed that CO 2 , acting as a trigger, could change the system viscosity over a range of several orders of magnitude and that this response occurred with high sensitivity.…”

Edible CO2-Responsive Wormlike Micelles with Docosahexaenoic Acid

“…There is growing interest in these micelles, which respond to environmental stimuli with changeable rheological properties. Triggers such as pH changes, , temperature control, , and photochemical and redox reactions are commonly used. Abe et al employed 11-(ferrocenyl) undecyltrimethylammonium bromide (FTMA), a cationic surfactant with a redox-active ferrocene structure, to regulate viscosity electrochemically.…”

Dimer acid used as CO2‐responsive surfactant for reducing viscosity of heavy crude oil

“…The switching pH of the surfactants with CO 2 addition was determined by probing the dynamic interfacial surface at the oil–water interface. A study synthesized a CO 2 ‐switchable pseudo‐tetrameric surfactant by simply mixing two commercial reagents such as stearic acid and cyclic alkene (Wei et al, 2022), which subsequently self‐assembled into CO 2 ‐switchable worm‐like micelles.…”