The role of interactions in defining the structure of mixed protein–surfactant interfaces

The behaviour of dispersed systems is often controlled by the composition of the interface between the different phases. Because of the inherent differences between proteins and surfactants, when both are present at the interface complex pseudo two-dimensional structures can be formed. This review brings together work that allows these structures to be explained in terms of the interactions involved. The significance of both the interactions and the structures is discussed in terms of the effect on bulk properties in colloidal systems.