Salt-Induced Modulation of Self-Assembly in C8-10 AlkylPolyGlucoside/Fatty Alcohol Formulations

Abstract

A formulation strategy based on the alkyl polyglucoside (APG) surfactant Triton CG-110, in combination with 1-Dodecanol as a co-surfactant and brine as an additive, is developed. The results highlight the pivotal role of brine in modulating the rheological properties of the system, inducing a shift from viscous to viscoelastic and yield-pseudoplastic behavior at elevated surfactant and salt concentrations. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals that increased salinity enhances interparticle correlations within bicellar nanostructures, which are closely associated with improved viscoelasticity and formulation stability. The salting-out effect, combined with the ability to incorporate 1-Dodecanol, leads to nanoscale structural transitions that provide a rational basis for tuning the performance of surfactant systems. The resulting high oil-uptake efficiency of 82% in the final formulation demonstrates a viable pathway toward high-efficiency, environmentally benign surfactants, supporting the broader transition to greener chemistries in industrial applications.