Comparison of phase diagrams of glycerol type oxyethylene type nonionic surfactants

We have studied the characteristics of glycerol type nonionic surfactant (3 ,3'-oxybis (1,2-propanediol) 1-dodecyl ether; R(12)G(2)E) by phase diagram. Comparing with oxyethylene type nonionic surfactant (alpha -dodecyl-omega -hydroxyhexa (oxyethylene); R12EO6), we have found three unique characters. First, from very low concentration of R(12)G(2)E, it could solubilize wate r and oil. This means these kind of surfactants have a strong lipophobicity as well as a strong hydrophobicity. Second, the amount of R(12)G(2)E to so lubilize whole water and oil was very small. And third, R(12)G(2)E was less affected by the temperature change, comparing with R12EO6. Because of these characters of R(12)G(2)E, its phase diagram on the plane o f water/oil = 1/1 (wt), in water /surfactant/oil system, showed "Humpback-w hale" figure, while that of oxyethylene type nonionic surfactant in the sam e condition showed ordinary "Fish-like" figure.