Abstract
In this paper we used a surfactant-stabilized lyotropic lamellar model system to study the interfacial behaviour of an ion-extracting agent: N1,N3 dimethyl- N1, N3-dibutyl-2-tetradecyl malonamide (DMDBTDMA). An analysis of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and polarized Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR-FTIR) data enabled to describe the distribution of the malonamide extractant within the bilayers and its complexation state at the equilibrium. The lamellar phase was diluted with salt water containing varying amount of complexing salt, and each structural state measured was described using a thermodynamic model based on three elementary equilibria: (i) partition of the extractant polar heads between the core and the polar shell of the bilayers, (ii) the complexation of ions by extractants at the bilayers surfaces, and (iii) the partition of bonded extractants between the core and interfaces of bilayers. This model enabled to compare the energy cost of each step.