Solubilization of dibutyltin dichloride with surfactant solutions in single and mixed oil systems

The harmful effects of organometallic compounds and their metabolites on the environment and human health require the development of more effective remediation methods. Surfactant enhanced remediation has been considered as a potential method for the removal of organometallic compounds; however, additional understanding is needed about the solubilization processes of these compounds. The surfactant enhanced solubilization of dibutyltin dichloride (DBT), an organometallic compound, was the focus of this research. In addition, the synergistic effects of DBT solubilization in perchloroethylene (PCE) and decane mixtures were evaluated. The results indicate that PCE and decane were solubilized into the core of these surfactant micelles in both single and mixed oil systems. DBT solubilization was limited when DBT alone was present (single oil system), and the nature of the solubilization isotherm suggests that DBT solubilization tended to occur near the micelle surface in a single oil system. DBT solubilization was found to increase when present in the PCE and decane oil mixture. PCE and decane may have facilitated the solubilization of DBT because they were solubilized in the micelle core. From this study, it may be concluded that the DBT behaves like polar oil such as dodecanol, having properties of a polar organic compound. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.