Multiconnected micellar phases for cleaning applications

Authors
T. Slavova, K. Marinova, K. Danov
Journal
University publishing house “V. Aprilov”
Year
2025
Volume
ISSN: 2815-4924
T. Slavova, K. Marinova, K. Danov
University publishing house “V. Aprilov” 2025
ISSN: 2815-4924
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Abstract

The research paper explores the ability of isolated multiconnected micellar phases (MMP) to remove different soils (dimethicone, sebum oil, and makeup formulations) from artificial skin. The MMP is isolated from 3 wt% 1:1 sodium lauryl ether sulfate with 2 ethylene oxide group + cocamidopropyl betaine in the presence of 62 mM MgCl2. The direct observations of soil removal demonstrate the efficacy of the MMP by two physicochemical mechanisms. For dimethicone soils, the roll-up mechanism is observed, i.e. shrinkages of the drop contact areas and decrease of the three-phase contact angles due to the changes in the interfacial tension and the surface energy. For sebum soils, the spontaneous emulsification mechanism takes place because of the mixing of the fatty acids present in the sebum with the surfactants and forming complex amphiphilic structures. For makeup formulations, the new approach based on the software image analysis by means of Image J is developed to account for the whole soiled area and to increase the precision of the quantitative cleaning characterization. The obtained results show that the bicontinuous phase successfully removes dimethicone, sebum oil, and foundation soils from the artificial skin and could have potential application in the design of new personal, home and industrial care products.