Synergistic effect of ZnO nanoparticles and triblock copolymer surfactant on the dynamic and equilibrium oil–water interfacial tension

Abstract

The present study reports the effects of non-ionic surfactant Pluronic F-127 on the equilibrium and dynamic oil–water interfacial tension in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. The results show that in the presence of nanoparticles, the decrease of interfacial tension is more. The cooperative behavior of F-127 and ZnO nanoparticles especially at low concentrations increases the surfactant efficiency in lowering the interfacial tension. Statistical rate theory (SRT) and mixed diffusion-kinetic controlled model were used for modeling the dynamic interfacial tension data. The modeling results show that the mechanism of surfactant adsorption is controlled with the mixed diffusion-kinetic model. In addition, the influence of the solution pH on the interfacial tension was investigated. Finally, the effects of F-127 on the contact angle in the absence and presence of ZnO was compared.