Reversed micelle formation in a model liquid-liquid extraction system

The formation of reversed micelles and the roles of extractant and extracted complexes were investigated in the Cyanex923/n-heptane/H2SO4 system. Interfacial tension (gamma), electrical conductivity (kappa), and water content measurements showed that Cyanex923 had a tendency to self-assemble, forming reversed micelles. The changes in electrical conductivity with concentration of H2SO4 in the organic phase (CH2SO4,(0)) exhibited an S-type curve: a correlation was found between the change in electrical conductivity and the water content as a function of CH2SO4,(0),.