Unravelling the interfacial structure of crude oil/saltwater/surfactant system with temperature and under shear

Surface engineered sponges (SEnS) are emerging absorbents for the recovery of crude oil microdroplets from wastewater. For practical viability, the physicochemical surface structures of the SEnS need to engineered to compliment the physicochemical structure and properties of surfactant-stabilized oil microdroplets in saltwater. This work aims to determine the interfacial structure of the crude oil/seawater/surfactant system using Rheo-SANS. Specifically, the influence of surfactant concentration, temperature, and shear rate on the structure and rheological properties of emulsions will be evaluated. The results will indicate where transitions between structures such as interdigitated lamellar, lamellar crystalline aggregates, and micellar occur. These findings will enable prediction in variability in oil microdroplets adhesion to the SEnS surface and adsorption kinetics.