The effect of ionic surfactants on the electrokinetic behavior of asphaltene from a maya Mexican oil

In this work we show the behavior of the zeta potential of asphaltene when different concentrations of two cationic surfactants (cetylpyridinium chloride and dodecylamine hydrochloride) and one anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) interact with asphaltene particles at different pHs in the aqueous phase. By changing the concentration of cetylpyridinium chloride, dodecylamine hydrochloride, and sodium dodecyl sulfate from 0.01 to 1 mM, we were able to reverse and control the sign of the zeta potential of asphaltene, demonstrating the presence of both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions at the asphaltene surface. © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.