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Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Insights into 2‑Ethylhexyl Laurate: A Remarkable Bioester

Commercial (protiated) samples of the “green” and biodegradable bioester 2-ethylhexyl laurate (2-EHL) were mixed with D-2-EHL synthesized by hydrothermal deuteration, with the mixtures demonstrating bulk structuring in small-angle neutron scattering measurements. Analysis in a polymer scattering fra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering 2024-02, Vol.12 (5), p.1816-1821
Main Authors: Hammond, Oliver S., Morris, Daniel C., Bousrez, Guillaume, Li, Sichao, de Campo, Liliana, Recsei, Carl, Moir, Michael, Glavatskih, Sergei, Rutland, Mark W., Mudring, Anja-Verena
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Language:English
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Summary:Commercial (protiated) samples of the “green” and biodegradable bioester 2-ethylhexyl laurate (2-EHL) were mixed with D-2-EHL synthesized by hydrothermal deuteration, with the mixtures demonstrating bulk structuring in small-angle neutron scattering measurements. Analysis in a polymer scattering framework yielded a radius of gyration (R g) of 6.5 Å and a Kuhn length (alternatively described as the persistence length or average segment length) of 11.2 Å. Samples of 2-EHL dispersed in acetonitrile formed self-assembled structures exceeding the molecular dimensions of the 2-EHL, with a mean aggregation number (N agg) of 3.5 ± 0.2 molecules across the tested concentrations. We therefore present structural evidence that this ester can function as a nonionic (co)­surfactant. The available surfactant-like conformations appear to enable performance beyond the low calculated hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value of 2.9. Overall, our data offer an explanation for 2-EHL’s interfacial adsorption properties via self-assembly, resulting in strong emolliency and lubricity for this sustainable ester-based bio-oil.
ISSN:2168-0485
2168-0485
DOI:10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c04736