Self-assembly study of mixtures of biosurfactants with conventional surfactants

Surfactants manufacturers are actively working on replacing, partially or totally, synthetic oil-based surfactants with biobased surfactants (BS) in consumer goods, for BS are established as being less toxic, with better environmental compatibility and produced from renewable feedstock. However, home and personal care products still require surfactants formulation, optimized to obtain high-performance products. A fundamental understanding in the self-assembly properties of blends of biosurfactants with industrial surfactants is then necessary. In this proposal, we use a high throughput SAXS beamline to study the phase diagram in water under diluted conditions (< 5 wt%) for mixtures of biosurfactants (sophoro-, rhamno-, cellobiose-, gluco-lipids) with industrial surfactants, negative/positive/neutral (SDS, LAS, CTAB, Pluronic P123, F127). This study will be essential for understanding BS/surfactant blends and sketch their use in commercial formulations in the field of personal care.