Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.186, No.2, 414-419, 1997
Cryo-TEM of Polyelectrolyte-Micelle Complexes
Cryo-TEM was carried out on samples containing polyelectrolyte-micelle complexes, formed by combining poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)(PDADMAC), a strong cationic polyelectrolye, with oppositely charged mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and nonionic Triton X-100 (TX100), in 0.40 M NaCl. Complexation appears to involve the formation of micelle-rich regions, presumably within the domains of polymer chains, without any particular organization or restructuring of the micelles. At polymer concentrations(C-P) less than or equal to 0.4 g/L, the observation of such clusters with dimensions as low as 50 nm suggests that intrapolymer complexes may exist at low C-P. With increasing polymer concentration, aggregates grow in size, with dimensions that indicate the involvement of many polymer chains. Upon increase in the ratio of SDS:TX100, the system coacervates, and the micelle/polymer-rich phase forms a continuous matrix.
Keywords:DYNAMIC LIGHT-SCATTERING;CHARGED MIXED MICELLES;SODIUM DODECYL-SULFATE;POLYMER SURFACTANT INTERACTION;WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMERS;ALKYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM SURFACTANTS;POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE);AGGREGATION NUMBERS;CATIONIC SURFACTANT;AQUEOUS-SOLUTION