Polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures at the air-solution interface

Journal article

This review presents some of the recent developments in our understanding of the behaviour of polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures at the air-solution interface. The existence of a strong surface polyelectrolyte/surfactant interaction results in a complex pattern of surface adsorption. Recent studies, using a range of surface sensitive techniques, which include ellipsometry, neutron and X-ray reflectivity, surface tension and interfacial rheology, have considerably enhanced the understanding of their surface behaviour, which can be rationalized in terms of the competition between the formation of surface active polymer/surfactant complexes and solution polymer/surfactant micelle complexes. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Authors: Penfold, J; Thomas, R; Taylor, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: CURRENT OPINION IN COLLOID and INTERFACE SCIENCE
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 337-344
• Publication date: 2006-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2006.08.003
• ISSN: 1359-0294
• Language: English
• Keywords: polyelectrolytes; surfactants; air-solution interface; adsorption