Initial partition and aggregation of uncharged polyaromatic molecules at the oil-water interface: a molecular dynamics simulation study

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Jan 30;118(4):1040-51. doi: 10.1021/jp407363p. Epub 2014 Jan 21.

Abstract

Initial partitioning and aggregation of several uncharged polyaromatic (PA) molecules with the same polyaromatic core but different terminal moieties at oil-water interfaces from the bulk oil phase were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The partition of the PA molecules between the bulk organic phase and oil-water interface was highly dependent on the terminal moiety structure of the PA molecules and aromaticity of the organic phase. The polarity ratio between the oil and water phases showed a significant influence on adsorption of the PA molecules at the oil-water interface. The presence of hydrophobic aromatic moieties in PA molecules hindered the adsorption process. Larger aromatic rings in PA molecules lowered the interfacial activity due to strong intermolecular π-π interactions and molecular aggregation in the bulk oil phase. The presence of a terminal carboxylic functional group on the side chain enhanced the adsorption of the PA molecules at the oil-water interface. The fused ring plane of the uncharged PA molecules was found to preferentially adsorb at the oil-water interface in a head-on or side-on orientation with the polyaromatic core staying in the nonaqueous phase (i.e., the principal plane of the molecule perpendicular to the oil-water interface). The results obtained from this study could provide a scientific direction for the design of proper chemical demulsifiers for PA molecule-mediated emulsions formed under specific process conditions of temperature, pressure, and pH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Oils / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Pressure
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Oils
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Water