(421g) Application of Silane-Treated Silica with Varying Wettability Towards the Demulsification of Surfactant Stabilized Water-in-Oil Emulsions

Efficient phase separations of emulsions is crucial to many industries. These industries include water treatment and petroleum industries. The abundant presence of emulsion stabilizers in crude oil and wastewater leads to further complications. Due to the presence of natural surfactants, stable emulsions are formed that do not easily demulsify on their own. Silica nanoparticles have been noted in literature to demulsify surfactant stabilized emulsions. This work seeks to probe the influence of the wettability of the silica nanoparticles in the efficient demulsification of water in oil emulsions. Silica nanoparticles were modified following a salinization method to alter the wettability of the silica nanoparticles. The hydrophilicity of the silica nanoparticles was measured with respect to the percentage of hydroxyl groups present in the matrix of the silica nanoparticles. Contact angle measurements were made on the silane-treated silica particles to determine the oil-water wettability of the silica particles. Silica particles with varied wettability were prepared and investigated for their demulsification potential. Emulsions prepared will be observed under a microscope before and after the silica treatment to observe the coalescing behavior of the water droplets. Our presentation will highlight the influence of wettability of the demulsification potential of cyclohexane in water emulsions.