Interaction of cationic surfactant and anionic polyelectrolytes in mixed aqueous solutions

Surfactant–polymer interactions in aqueous solutions have been studied using dynamic surface tension, polyelectrolyte titration, nephelometric turbidity, and dynamic light scattering. For the preparation of complexes, a technical cationic surfactant was used in combination with two poly(maleic acid-co-polymers) of similar structure but different hydrophobicity. The dynamic surface tensions of mixed solutions as functions of surfactant concentration at constant polyelectrolyte content, as well as changes in the surface activity due to the influence of polyanion at constant surfactant concentration are discussed in terms of a complex or aggregate formation in the bulk phase. The interaction of the surfactant with poly(maleic acid-alt-propene) (P-MS-P) and poly(maleic acid-alt-α-methylstyrene) (P-MS-MeSty), respectively, is strong in both cases and results in the formation of nanoparticles with properties depending on the composition of the corresponding mixture.