This study investigates the extraction, synthesis, and performance evaluation of a natural surfactant obtained from Sapindus mukorossi extract (SME) and its mixed system with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) for surface-active properties. The surface-active properties of the SME-CuO NPs mixed system were compared with those of SME. Preliminary characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak for CuO NPs and the presence of saponin in SME. A Shift in the absorption peak in the SME-CuO NPs mixed system suggests interaction taking place between SME and CuO NPs. The results revealed that the observed enhancement in parameters such as foaming ability, stability, emulsification, viscosity, and pH shows a strong dependence on the surfactant NPs concentration. SME-CuO NPs mixed system showed enhanced emulsification at a concentration range of 5.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-4}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> to 4.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-2}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc, higher foaming ability at 2.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-4}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> to 2.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-3}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc and increased viscosity at 5.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-3}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> to 2.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq6"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-2}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc as compared to SME. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the SME and SME-CuO NPs mixed system was determined by electrical conductivity, and its value was found to be 1.21×<InlineEquation ID="IEq7"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-3}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc and 1.86 ×<InlineEquation ID="IEq8"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-3}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc, respectively. SME-CuO NPs mixed system exhibited a slight increase in CMC as compared to SME, indicating the occurrence of micellization at slightly higher concentration for SME-CuO NPs mixed system. pH results indicated that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system is acidic at a lower concentration range of 3.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq9"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-5}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> to 3.0×<InlineEquation ID="IEq10"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({10}^{-3}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> g/cc as compared to SME. These findings demonstrate that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system effectively optimizes micelle formation and surface activity, highlighting its potential for applications in enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetic formulations.

Synthesis, evaluation, and synergistic study of the surface-active properties of a natural surfactant-nanoparticle mixed system

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年8月3日

查看全文

Sajina Rai,
Monolina Chowdhury,
Rajesh Rawat,
Ambika Pradhan

摘要

This study investigates the extraction, synthesis, and performance evaluation of a natural surfactant obtained from Sapindus mukorossi extract (SME) and its mixed system with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) for surface-active properties. The surface-active properties of the SME-CuO NPs mixed system were compared with those of SME. Preliminary characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak for CuO NPs and the presence of saponin in SME. A Shift in the absorption peak in the SME-CuO NPs mixed system suggests interaction taking place between SME and CuO NPs. The results revealed that the observed enhancement in parameters such as foaming ability, stability, emulsification, viscosity, and pH shows a strong dependence on the surfactant NPs concentration. SME-CuO NPs mixed system showed enhanced emulsification at a concentration range of 5.0× \({10}^{-4}\) to 4.0× \({10}^{-2}\) g/cc, higher foaming ability at 2.0× \({10}^{-4}\) to 2.0× \({10}^{-3}\) g/cc and increased viscosity at 5.0× \({10}^{-3}\) to 2.0× \({10}^{-2}\) g/cc as compared to SME. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the SME and SME-CuO NPs mixed system was determined by electrical conductivity, and its value was found to be 1.21× \({10}^{-3}\) g/cc and 1.86 × \({10}^{-3}\) g/cc, respectively. SME-CuO NPs mixed system exhibited a slight increase in CMC as compared to SME, indicating the occurrence of micellization at slightly higher concentration for SME-CuO NPs mixed system. pH results indicated that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system is acidic at a lower concentration range of 3.0× \({10}^{-5}\) to 3.0× \({10}^{-3}\) g/cc as compared to SME. These findings demonstrate that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system effectively optimizes micelle formation and surface activity, highlighting its potential for applications in enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetic formulations.