Micellization and interaction of anionic and nonionic mixed surfactant systems in water

Interaction between binary surfactant mixtures containing anionic surfactants viz. sodium dodecyl sulphates (NaDS) and magnesium dodecyl sulphates (Mg(DS)2) and a nonionic surfactants viz. dodecyl dodecapolyethylene glycol ether (C12E12) and dodecyl pentadecapolyethylene glycol ether (C12E15) in water at different mole fractions (0–1) were studied by surface tension, viscometry and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. The composition of mixed micelles and the interaction parameter, β evaluated from the CMC data obtained by surface tension for different systems using Rubinghʹs theory were discussed. Activity coefficient (f1 and f2) of metal dodecyl sulphates (MDS)/C12Em (m = 12, 15) mixed surfactant systems were evaluated, which shows extent of ideality of individual surfactant in mixed system. The estimated interaction parameter indicates an overall attractive interaction in the mixed micelles, which is predominant for NaDS as compared to Mg(DS)2. Counter ion valency has specific effect on the mixed micelles, as Mg(DS)2 has less interaction with nonionic surfactants in comparison to NaDS due to strong condensation of counter ion. The stability factors for mixed micelles were also discussed by Maedaʹs approach, which was justified on the basis of steric factor due to difference in head group of nonionic surfactant. DLS measurements and viscosity data reveals the synergism in mixed micelles, showing typical viscosity trends and linearity in sizes were observed.