Use of the theory of Lifshitz-Slyosov-Wagner for the evaluation of the aqueous solubility of dodecane

TL;DR

This paper applies the Lifshitz-Slyosov-Wagner theory to determine the aqueous solubility of dodecane by analyzing Ostwald ripening in nanoemulsions stabilized with SDS, finding the most dilute system accurately reproduces the solubility.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of Ostwald ripening theory to evaluate the solubility of dodecane in water using nanoemulsions.

Findings

Most dilute nanoemulsion accurately reproduces dodecane solubility.

The measured solubility is 5.5 x 10^-9 m^3/m^3.

Nanoemulsions can be used to evaluate solubility via ripening dynamics.

Abstract

The solubility of dodecane was determined using the theory of Lifshitz-Slyosov-Wagner for the Ostwald ripening phenomenon. For this purpose, a set of dodecane in water nanoemulsions stabilized with sodium dodecylsulfate was prepared. The average cubic radius of the dispersions was followed as a function of time for volume fractions between 0.001 and 0.00001. The correct solubility (5.5 x 10-9 m3/m3) was only reproduced by the most dilute system.