Dynamics of percolation and energetics in the clustering of water/AOT/oil microemulsions in the presence of ethanol amines

Temperature-induced percolation in water/AOT/oil microemulsions in the presence of mono-, di-, and tri-ethanol amines have been studied using conductometric measurements. The percolation temperature of water/AOT/oil microemulsions depends on the nature of the alkanol amine added. Mono- and di-ethanol amines hinder the percolation process, while triethanol amine promotes the process. Percolation studies were also conducted with varying ω = [H₂O]/[AOT] values and varying chain lengths of continuous oil phase (C₆-C₁₀). The results indicate that increases in both ω and the chain length of the oil decrease the percolation temperature. The microemulsion systems have been analyzed in terms of percolation temperature, scaling equation parameters, and activation energies. The energetic parameters of the clustering process have also been determined employing the phase-separation model. The influence of alkanol amines on the percolation phenomenon has been rationalized in terms of the changes in fluidity of the interfacial layer, the viscosity of the water micropool, and the attractive interactions of the microemulsion droplets. The influence of the alkanol amine additives on the stated parameters was discussed in view of the individual effects of the alcohol and amine moieties on the properties of water/AOT/oil microemulsions.