Influence of addition of pure components on the structural state of multi-n-alkane mixtures

Commercial multi-alkane product whose normal alkane distribution is of the ‘normal logarithmic type’, has been modified by adding pure components (n-C20H42, n-C32H66, n-C50H102) in different proportions. The molecular alloys resulting have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, at room temperature. It appears that addition of pure components to the initial product has no influence on the structural state of the wax when the proportion is lower than that of the component of higher concentration contained in the initial multi-alkane mixture. On the contrary, when the added proportion is higher than the concentration of the average alkane representative of the distribution, a new series of 00l reflections characteristic of the pure component structure added, is observed. Moreover, this work has shown the possible existence of a solubility of wax in pure n-alkane.