Microstructure and structural transition in palm-kernel oil microemulsion using 1.5-order differential electroanalysis

The microemulsification in palm-kernel oil/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/iso-pentanol/water system is investigated. The effect of iso-pentanol concentration in microemulsions on the size of single-phase microemulsion region is also discussed. It is found that the maximum microemulsion domain is obtained when iso-pentanol-to-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide mass ratio is 1.75. The diffusion coefficients of electroactive probe (ferrocene) in microemulsion microenvironment are measured by 1.5-order differential electroanalysis. The microstructure and structural transition from water-in-oil to oil-in-water microemulsions through a bicontinuous structure is examined. The results are found to be in agreement with that of conductivity measurements.