PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SURFACTANT ENHANCED MIXED SOLVENT SYSTEMS

The object of this research is to discover substitutes for halogenated solvents in detergent formulations. Recent work in our Laboratories indicates that the study of surfactant enhanced solvent blends may be very rewarding in this regard. In particular, N,N-dialkylamides and N-alkylpyrrolidinones, although they are not as effective as chlorinated solvents, can be more easily blended with water and common surfactants to produce very effective solvent and reaction systems for toxic oils and inorganics. These solvents are biodegradable and not extremely toxic. We have initiated a study of the appropriate physical properties of these blends in order to determine their efficacy as media for the dissolution and degradation of model compounds.