Self-assembly and emulsifying properties of biomass derived surfactant from branched alkyl chain xyloside

Glycolipids are biodegradable nonionic sugar surfactants and can be produced from renewable resources, making these materials suitable for sustainable development. Herein, the thermal properties, liquid crystalline phases, and structures of Guerbet branched chain α-D-xylosides with variable chain lengths (C₈ to C₂₄ total carbons) have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray scattering, respectively. In the dry state, the α-D-xylosides were either in a crystalline or a gel phase-like state. In the presence of water, the two shorter chain members formed lamellar and sponge phases. At relatively higher temperatures and water concentrations, those with longer chains exhibited inverse curved phases of hexagonal and Fd3m micellar cubic. These α-D-xylosides were then used as an emulsifier to produce the n-alkane/water emulsions of oil-in-water type at room temperature. The n-dodecane/water emulsified using middle chain xyloside i.e., 2-hexyl-decyl-α-D-xyloside gave the most stable and highest formation of emulsion layer of more than 90 % of the total system volume.