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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R41965/01
Title: Characterisation of surfactant mesophases in multi-phase systems : surfactant specific electrodes
Principal Investigator: Tiddy, Professor GJT
Other Investigators:
Lue, Dr L
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chem Eng and Analytical Science
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2001 Ends: 31 March 2005 Value (£): 143,234
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Electrochemical Science & Eng. Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
GR/R42160/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The basic surface active components of most detergent products (and many others) are ionic and non-ionic surfactants. A considerable number of such products are present as mufti-phase systems although their producers have little knowledge of the detailed product structure despite its dominant influence on usage. Market pressures mean that the number of possible blends from the increasing variety of surfactants is now so large that formulation based on pure empiricism is not a feasible option. We wish to investigate novel surfactant selctive electrode for the characterisation of surfactant mesophases (lamellar, gel, normal and reversed hexagonal and cubic) present in mufti-phase systems containing both pure and mixed surfactants, and test the applicability of existing micellar thermodynamic theories to these systems. This will include investigations of electrode behaviour in viscous phases, and in the semi-solid L(3 phase where slow kinetic effects are expected. We will also investigate the lower concentratic limit to which the electrodes can be used (<10-7 mol. dm-3) since few methods are currently available. Such studies should provide guidelines to p the compositions of these phases in mufti-component products and also provide fundamental information of the properties of the phases themselvs The experience gained in surfactant specific electrodes will be applied to construct electrodes specific to other specialist additivesof Industrial interest.
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Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk