The importance of sub-angstrom distances in mixed surfactant systems for technological processes

The spacing between atoms and molecules at interfaces and within materials is extremely important in determining the properties of such interfaces and materials. In surfactant monolayers at the air-water interface, it has been shown that small changes in molecular packing lead to large changes in the interfacial properties. Changes in intermolecular distance as small as 0.04 A have been attributed to the effect of mixing surfactants of different chain lengths. This paper discusses the effect of these sub-angstrom distance changes on foaming, micellar stability, melting points, bubble size, surface viscosity, lubrication, environmental remediation, enhanced oil recovery, and microemulsion stability that result from chain length compatibility.