Performance Comparison Between Internal Olefin Sulfonates and Alpha Olefin Sulfonates

Comparison of surface and interfacial properties of internal olefin sulfonates (IOS) and alpha olefin sulfonates (AOS) shows that hydrocarbon chain branching has a significant influence on interfacial properties at the air–water, pentadecane–water and parafilm–water interfaces. The isomeric branched IOS shows a higher critical micelle concentration and are more effective in reducing the surface tension at the air–water interface by occupying a larger area per molecule. IOS exhibits better dynamic air–water interfacial properties due to a lower meso-equilibrium surface tension. The equilibrium interfacial tensions for AOS and IOS have no remarkable difference at the pentadecane–water interface. The water wettability and electrolyte tolerance are enhanced with branched hydrocarbon chain olefin sulfonates.