The Structures of Complexes between Polyethylene Imine and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in D2O: A Scattering Study

The evolution of equilibrium poly(styrene sulfonate) and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide supramolecular structure in dilute aqueous solution with increasing surfactant binding

HYPOTHESIS

In the last 20 years, it has been demonstrated that oppositely charged polyelectrolyte-surfactant (PE-S) mixtures are prone to forming kinetically arrested non-equilibrium aggregates, which are present in the prepared mixtures from rather low surfactant-to-polymer-repeat-unit ratios. Practically, this means that the PE-S mixtures used for the structural investigations of the formed PE-S complexes are typically a mixture of the primary PE-S complexes and large non-equilibrium aggregates of close to charge-neutral complexes.

EXPERIMENTS

In this work, we present a unique approach that allows the preparation of PE-S mixtures in the equilibrium one-phase region (surfactant binding β, is typically below 80%) without forming non-equilibrium aggregates. We used this method to prepare equilibrium, non-aggregated complexes of sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (NaPSS, Mw = 17 kDa) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) (β = 10 - 70%) both in water and in an inert electrolyte (100 mM NaCl). The evolution of the complex structure was monitored by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a function of increasing surfactant binding (β), and the measured scattering data were fitted by suitable structural models on an absolute scale where concentrations, compositions, and scattering contrasts calculated from molecular properties are used as restraints.

FINDINGS

We could show that at low binding (β < 30%), the system is a mixture of bare polyelectrolyte coils and NaPSS-DTAB complexes containing a closed surfactant associates of low aggregation number wrapped by the polyelectrolyte chain. Once all polymer chains are occupied by a micelle-like surfactant aggregate, the aggregation number increases linearly with increasing surfactant chemical potential. Using the structural insight provided by the SAXS measurements, we could fit the experimental binding isotherm data with a physically coherent, simple thermodynamic model. Finally, we also compared the stoichiometric NaPSS-DTAB precipitate's structure with the equilibrium complexes' structure.

Effect of Added Surfactant on Poly(Ethylenimine)-Assisted Gold Nanoparticle Formation

In a variety of applications, functionalization of gold nanoparticles is needed to ensure adequate surface charge and hydrophobicity for their biodistribution, interparticle interactions, or self-organization. In the present paper, we provide an economic way for the synthesis of hydrophobized poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) capped gold nanoparticles at room temperature using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The approach is based on the controlled competition between the nucleation of gold nanophases within the PEI molecules and the SDS binding onto their amine groups. This can be achieved via utilizing the strongly irreversible nature of the association between the oppositely charged polymer and that of the surfactant molecules. Specifically, by varying the order and timing of SDS addition during the process of gold nanoassembly formation, the size distribution, the morphology, and the local hydrophobic environment of the produced Au-PEI/SDS nanohybrids can be tuned even at one composition of the system. The results may be further exploited for the preparation of noble metal nanoassemblies with controlled hydrophobicity and charge.

Interaction of a biosurfactant, Surfactin with a cationic Gemini surfactant in aqueous solution

The interaction between biosurfactant Surfactin and cationic Gemini surfactant ethanediyl-1,3-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (abbreviated as 12-3-12) was investigated using turbidity, surface tension, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Analysis of critical micelle concentration (CMC) values in Surfactin/12-3-12 mixture indicates that there is synergism in formation of mixed Surfactin/12-3-12 micelles. Although Surfactin and 12-3-12 are oppositely charged in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH7.4), there are no precipitates observed at the concentrations below the CMC of Surfactin/12-3-12 system. However, at the concentration above CMC value, the Surfactin/12-3-12 mixture is severely turbid with high 12-3-12 content. DLS and SANS measurements follow the size and shape changes of mixed Surfactin/12-3-12 aggregates from small spherical micelles via elongated aggregates to large bulk complexes with increasing fraction of Gemini surfactant.

Polymer-surfactant systems in bulk and at fluid interfaces

The interest of polymer-surfactant systems has undergone a spectacular development in the last thirty years due to their complex behavior and their importance in different industrial sectors. The importance can be mainly associated with the rich phase behavior of these mixtures that confers a wide range of physico-chemical properties to the complexes formed by polymers and surfactants, both in bulk and at the interfaces. This latter aspect is especially relevant because of the use of their mixture for the stabilization of dispersed systems such as foams and emulsions, with an increasing interest in several fields such as cosmetic, food science or fabrication of controlled drug delivery structures. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of different aspects related to the phase behavior of these mixtures and their intriguing behavior after adsorption at the liquid/air interface. A discussion of some physical properties of the bulk is also included. The discussion clearly points out that much more work is needed for obtaining the necessary insights for designing polymer-surfactant mixtures for specific applications.

Mesomorphic ionic hyperbranched polymers: effect of structural parameters on liquid-crystalline properties and on the formation of gold nanohybrids

Branched thermotropic liquid crystals were successfully obtained from ionic interactions between hyperbranched polyamidoamine and sodium dodecylsulfate. These complexes present columnar rectangular and lamellar thermotropic mesophases as demonstrated by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The relationships between the structural characteristics of the polymers (size of the hyperbranched core, hyperbranched or dendritic nature of the core, and substitution ratio) and the mesomorphic properties were studied. In situ formation of gold nanoparticles was then performed. The templating effect of the liquid crystal mesophase resulted in the formation of isotropic nanoparticles, the size of which was dictated by the local organization of the mesophase and by the molar mass of the hyperbranched complex.

Insights into the interactions among Surfactin, betaines, and PAM: surface tension, small-angle neutron scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering study

The interactions among neutral polymer polyacrylamide (PAM) and the biosurfactant Surfactin and four betaines, N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (SDDAB), N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (STDAB), N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (SHDAB), and N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-ammonio-acetate (C12BE), in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) have been studied by surface tension measurements, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and rheological experiments. It has been confirmed that the length of alkyl chain is a key parameter of interaction between betaines and PAM. Differences in scattering contrast between X-ray and neutrons for surfactants and PAM molecules provide the opportunity to separately follow the changes of structure of PAM and surfactant aggregates. At concentrations of betaines higher than CMC (critical micelle concentration) and C2 (CMC of surfactant with the presence of polymer), spherical micelles are formed in betaines and betaines/PAM solutions. Transition from spherical to rod-like aggregates (micelles) has been observed in solutions of Surfactin and Surfactin/SDDAB (αSurfactin = 0.67 (molar fraction)) with addition of 0.8 wt % of PAM. The conformation change of PAM molecules only can be observed for Surfactin/SDDAB/PAM system. Viscosity values follow the structural changes suggested from scattering measurements i.e., gradually increases for mixtures PAM → Surfactin/PAM → Surfactin/SDDAB/PAM in PBS.

Interaction of the biosurfactant, Surfactin with betaines in aqueous solution

The interactions between the lipopeptide Surfactin and four betaines, N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (SDDAB), N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (STDAB), N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate (SHDAB), and N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-ammonio-acetate (C12BE) are studied by surface tension and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). SDDAB, STDAB, and SHDAB have the same headgroup but different hydrophobic chains. C12BE has different headgroup but the same hydrophobic chain with SDDAB. According to the interfacial parameters calculated from surface tension, the synergism between Surfactin and betaine is relevant with the molecule structure of betaine and the mole ratio of them. For betaines, the optimum alkyl chain length (STDAB) and long enough separation between positive charge and negative charge in headgroup are responsible for highest synergetic interaction with Surfactin. The aggregates of individual Surfactin and the mixtures of Surfactin and sulfopropyl betaines are predicted to be spherical based on the packing parameter (pp) and the average packing parameter (P(av)), which is in close qualitative agreement with SANS data analysis, while Surfactin/C12BE forms ellipsoidal micelles due to the smaller headgroup of C12BE.

Effect of linear nonionic polymer additives on the kinetic stability of dispersions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/sodium dodecylsulfate nanoparticles

In this article, the impact of different neutral polymers on the kinetic stability of charge-stabilized poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)/sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) colloidal dispersions is analyzed using dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, turbidity, and coagulation kinetics measurements. Poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and dextran of comparable molecular masses as well as a higher-molecular-weight dextran sample were tested as nonionic additives. The light scattering and mobility data indicate that the PEO and PVP molecules may adsorb on the surface of the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles formed in the presence of excess surfactant. The primary effect of these additives is manifested in enhanced coagulation of the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles due to bridging at lower polymer concentrations and depletion flocculation at higher polymer concentrations. These findings are in sharp contrast to the earlier published effect of the same nonionic polymers on the poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI)/SDS colloidal dispersions, which can be sterically stabilized at appropriate PEO or PVP concentrations. However, the adsorption of the investigated dextran samples is negligible on the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles. Therefore, dextran molecules may cause only depletion flocculation in the PDADMAC/SDS system in the vicinity of the critical overlap concentration.

Scientific Results and Economic Effects from the Centre for Surfactants Based on Natural Products (SNAP)

This review article will give a broad overview of the synthesized and characterised surfactants within the competence centre SNAP (Centre for Surfactants Based on Natural Products). The surfactants differ within their hydrophilic groups, hydrophobic groups as well as the linkage between these groups. The main focus was put on sugar-based surfactants and surfactants containing polyhydroxyl groups so this part will be the most extensive in the review. Interactions between surfactants and polymers have also been investigated and will be described in the final part of the review. SNAP resulted in the publication of 239 scientific articles and 22 PhD degrees.

On the stability and morphology of complex coacervate core micelles: from spherical to wormlike micelles

We present a systematic study of the stability and morphology of complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) formed from poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PM2VP-b-PEO). We use polarized and depolarized dynamic and static light scattering, combined with small-angle X-ray scattering, to investigate how the polymer chain length and salt concentration affect the stability, size, and shape of these micelles. We show that C3Ms are formed in aqueous solution below a critical salt concentration, which increases considerably with increasing PAA and PM2VP length and levels off for long chains. This trend is in good agreement with a mean-field model of polyelectrolyte complexation based on the Voorn-Overbeek theory. In addition, we find that salt induces morphological changes in C3Ms when the PAA homopolymer is sufficiently short: from spherical micelles with a diameter of several tens of nanometers at low salt concentration to wormlike micelles with a contour length of several hundreds of nanometers just before the critical salt concentration. By contrast, C3Ms of long PAA homopolymers remain spherical upon addition of salt and shrink slightly. A critical review of existing literature on other C3Ms reveals that the transition from spherical to wormlike micelles is probably a general phenomenon, which can be rationalized in terms of a classical packing parameter for amphiphiles.

Properties of aqueous solutions of hydrophobically modified polyethylene imines in the absence and presence of sodium dodecylsulfate

Four modified hyperbranched polyethylene imines (PEIs) were synthesized by means of the alkylation of PEI. SAXS, viscosity, surface tension, and pyrene fluorescence emission were then used as techniques to examine the conformation and aggregation of the modified PEIs in aqueous solution, in the absence and presence of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Analysis of the SAXS data showed that the radius of gyration decreases with an increase in the alkyl chain length of the polymer, while the viscosity data indicated a decrease in the intrinsic viscosity under the same conditions. The nonmodified PEI was not surface active, while the hydrophobically modified samples showed pronounced surface activity and the presence of hydrophobic domains. On addition of SDS, the onset of the formation of polymer-surfactant complexes was determined, indicating a decrease in the critical aggregate concentration with an increase in the alkyl chain length of the polymer backbone.

Adsorption of branched-linear polyethyleneimine-ethylene oxide conjugate on hydrophilic silica investigated by ellipsometry and Monte Carlo simulations

The adsorption of and conformation adopted by a branched-linear polymer conjugate to the hydrophilic silica-aqueous solution interface have been studied by in situ null ellipsometry and Monte Carlo simulations. The conjugate is a highly branched polyethyleneimine structure with ethyleneoxide chains grafted to its primary and secondary amino groups. In situ null ellipsometry demonstrated that the polymer conjugate adsorbs to the silica surface from water and aqueous solution of 1 mM asymmetric divalent salt (calcium and magnesium chloride to emulate hard water) over a large pH range. The adsorbed amount is hardly affected by pH and large charge reversal on the negatively charged silica surface occurred at pH = 4.0, due to the adsorption of the cationic polyelectrolyte. The Monte Carlo simulations using an appropriate coarse-grained model of the polymer in solution predicted a core-shell structure with no sharp boundary between the ethyleneimine and ethyleneoxide moieties. The structure at the interface is similar to that in solution when the polymer degree of protonation is low or moderate while at high degree of protonation the strong electrostatic attraction between the ethyleneimine core and oppositely charged silica surface distorts the ethyleneoxide shell so that an "anemone"-like configuration is adopted. The adsorption of alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LAS) to a preadsorbed polymer layer was also investigated by null ellipsometry. The adsorption data brought additional support for the existence of a strong polymer adsorption and showed the presence of a binding which was further enhanced by the decreased solvency of the surfactant in the salt solution and confirmed the surface charge reversal by the polymer adsorption at pH = 4.0.

Structure and "surfactochromic" properties of conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE): surfactant complexes between a cationic polythiophene and SDS in water

We report on the phase transitions, solution structure, and consequent effect on the photophysical properties of poly[3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl)thiophene] bromide (P3TMAHT) in aqueous sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Polythiophene was mixed with SDS or deuterated SDS to form P3TMAHT(SDS)(x) complex (x = the molar ratio of surfactant over monomer units) in D(2)O and studied by small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS/SAXS) and optical spectroscopy. At room temperature, P3TMAHT forms charged aggregates with interparticle order. The addition of SDS eliminates the interparticle order and leads to rod-like (x = 1/5) or sheet-like polymer-SDS aggregates (x = 1/2 to 1) containing rod-like (x = 1/5 to 1/2) or sheet-like (x = 1/2 to 1) polymer associations. Partial precipitation occurs at the charge compensation point (x = 1). Ellipsoidal particles without interparticle order, reminiscent of SDS micelles modified by separated polymer chains, occur for x = 2 to 5. Free SDS micelles dominate for x = 20. Structural transitions lead to a concomitant variation in the solution color from red (P3TMAHT) to violet (x = 1/5 to 1) to yellow (x > 2). The photoluminescence fingerprint changes progressively from a broad featureless band (x = 0) through the band narrowing and appearance of vibronic structure (x = 1/5 to 1) to the return to a blue-shifted broad emission band (x = 5). The polymer stiffness reaches a maximum for x = 1, which leads to minimization of the Stokes shift (0.08 eV). This work gives fundamental information upon how surfactant complexation can influence both the solution structure and photophysical properties of a water-soluble polythiophene.

pH sensitive polymer nanoparticles: effect of hydrophobicity on self-assembly

The influence of hydrophobicity on formation, stability, and size of pH-responsive methacryloylated oligopeptide-based polymer nanoparticles has been studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and NMR. Different polyanions/surfactant systems have been studied at constant polymer concentration and within a broad range of surfactant concentrations. The two newly synthesized pH-sensitive hydrophobic polyanions, poly(N(ω)-methacryloyl glycyl-L-leucine) and poly(N(ω)-methacryloyl glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucinyl-glycine), and three nonionic surfactants (Brij97, Brij98, and Brij700) have been investigated. The surfactants were different in the length of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain. In surfactant-free solution at basic pH, the polyanions form hydrophobic domains. In the presence of a surfactant, our results prove the complex formation at high pH between the nonionic surfactant and the polyelectrolyte; a pearl-necklace structure is formed. At low pH below critical pH (pH(tr)), reversible nanoscale structures occur in solutions for all systems. The detailed mechanism of the formation of pH-sensitive nanoparticles from polymer-surfactant complex with varying pH is established. Our results suggest that the polymer hydrophobicity is of primary importance in pretransitional behavior of the complex. Once preliminary nanoparticle nuclei are formed, the hydrophobicity of the polymer plays a minor role on further behavior of formed nanostructures. The subsequent transformation of nanoparticles is determined by the surfactant hydrophilicity, the length of hydrophilic tail that prevents further aggregation due to steric repulsions.

Complexes of surfactants with oppositely charged polymers at surfaces and in bulk

Addition of surfactants to aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes carrying an opposite charge causes the spontaneous formation of complexes in the bulk phase in certain concentration ranges. Under some conditions, compact monodisperse multichain complexes are obtained in the bulk. The size of these complexes depends on the mixing procedure and it can be varied in a controlled way from nanometers up to micrometers. The complexes exhibit microstructures analogous to those of the precipitates formed at higher concentrations. In other cases, however, the bulk complexes are large, soft and polydisperse. In most cases, the dispersions are only kinetically stable and exhibit pronounced non-equilibrium features. Association at air-water interfaces readily occurs, even at very small concentrations. When the surfactant concentration is small, the surface complexes are usually made of a surfactant monolayer to which the polymer binds and adsorbs in a flat-like configuration. However, under some conditions, thicker layers can be found, with bulk complexes sticking to the surface. The association at solid-water interfaces is more complex and depends on the specific interactions between surfactants, polymers and the surface. However, the behaviour can be understood if distinctions between hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces are made. Note that the behaviour at air-water interfaces is closer to that of hydrophobic than that of hydrophilic solid surfaces. The relation between bulk and surface complexation will be discussed in this review. The emphasis will be given to the results obtained by the teams of the EC-funded Marie Curie RTN "SOCON".

Novel self-assemblies of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and surfactants in the presence of neutral polymer

In this Letter, the effect of addition of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on the nature of the self-assemblies of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and branched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) is investigated. We demonstrate that the neutral polymer adsorbs onto the surface of the polyelectrolyte/surfactant nanoparticles, which may result in sterically stabilized colloidal dispersions of the nanoparticles with hydrophobic core and hydrophilic corona. The kinetic stability is maintained even at high ionic strengths, where the charge stabilization of the PEI/SDS dispersions is inefficient. These results might be exploited to improve the efficiency of those formulations, which contain oppositely charged macromolecules and amphiphiles.

The impact of electrolyte on the aggregation of the complexes of hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) and sodium dodecyl sulfate

The aggregation of the negatively charged complexes of hyperbranched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been investigated at different sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations using coagulation kinetics, electrophoretic mobility and dynamic light scattering measurements. The observed variation of the initial rate of coagulation with NaCl concentration indicates the formation of kinetically stable colloid dispersions in the investigated composition and pH range. These dispersions are electrostatically stabilized due to the adsorption of excess dodecyl sulfate ions on the surface of the polyelectrolyte/surfactant particles. Because of the enhanced adsorption of the anionic surfactant, the kinetic stability of the PEI/SDS dispersions increases with increasing SDS concentration and decreasing pH. Finally, we rationalize the effect of salt on the phase behavior and surface properties of polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures in terms of the salt-induced aggregation features of polyelectrolyte/surfactant particles.

Effects of aggregates on mixed adsorption layers of poly(ethylene imine) and sodium dodecyl sulfate at the air/liquid interface

We have exploited the spatial and kinetic resolution of ellipsometry to monitor the lateral movement of inhomogeneous patches of material in mixed adsorption layers of poly(ethylene imine) and sodium dodecyl sulfate at the air/liquid interface. We show that the choice of sample preparation methods can have a profound effect on the state of the interface for chemically equivalent samples. The extent of aggregation in the bulk solution on relevant time scales is affected by specific details of the polymer/surfactant mixing process, which produces varying numbers of aggregates that can become trapped in the interfacial layer, resulting in an enhanced and fluctuating ellipsometry signal. It can be beneficial to apply the surface-cleaning method of aspiration prior to physical measurements to remove trapped aggregates through the creation of a fresh interface. At low pH, the ellipsometry signal of samples prepared with surface cleaning is remarkably constant over a factor of >500 in the bulk composition below charge equivalence, which is discussed in terms of possible adsorption mechanisms. At high pH, through observing temporal fluctuations in the ellipsometry signal of samples prepared with surface cleaning, we reveal two important processes: there is the spontaneous adsorption of aggregates > 0.2 microm in diameter into the interfacial layer, and with time there is the fusion of smaller aggregates to generate new large surface aggregates. We attribute the favorability of the adsorption and fusion processes at high pH to reduced electrostatic barriers resulting from the low surface charge density of the aggregates. It is inappropriate in this case to consider the interface to comprise a homogeneous adsorption layer that is in dynamic equilibrium with the bulk solution. Our work shows that it can be helpful to consider whether there are macroscopic particles embedded in molecular layers at the air/liquid interface for systems where there is prior knowledge of aggregation in the bulk phase.

Novel nanocomplexes of hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine), and dodecyl maltoside

The aqueous complexes of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyl maltoside (C12G2) have been studied under dilute conditions using dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, surface tension and pH measurements. According to the surface tension data the complexation between PEI and C12G2 can be neglected while a strong interaction was detected between PEI and SDS. The charged nature and size of the PEI-SDS-C12G2 complexes vary in a similar manner with SDS concentration as for the PEI-SDS systems. At large excess of SDS a kinetically stable colloid dispersion of the compact PEI-SDS-C12G2 particles forms. The electrophoretic mobility measurements indicate that the charge reversal of the PEI molecules occurs at lower SDS concentrations in the presence than in the absence of dodecyl maltoside. The enhanced charge inversion of PEI affords a significant extension of the concentration range with kinetically stable dispersion of the polyelectrolyte-surfactant nanoparticles compared with the PEI-SDS system. The pH of the PEI-SDS-C12G2 mixtures also reveals a peculiar dependence on the surfactant concentration. These latter findings are explained by the synergistic binding of the ionic and non-ionic surfactants to both the uncharged and charged amine groups of the PEI. It can be concluded that the addition of sugar surfactants is an efficient way to increase the kinetic stability and manipulate the pH of the mixtures of oppositely charged weak polyelectrolytes and surfactants.

Derivatizing weak polyelectrolytes—Solution properties, self-aggregation, and association with anionic surfaces of hydrophobically modified poly(ethylene imine)

The physical properties of weak polyelectrolytes may be tailored via hydrophobic modification to exhibit useful properties under appropriate pH and ionic strength conditions as a consequence of the often inherently competing effects of electrostatics and hydrophobicity. Pulsed-gradient spin-echo NMR (PGSE-NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) surface tension, fluorescence, and pH titration have been used to examine the solution conformation and aggregation behavior of a series of hydrophobically modified hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) polymers in aqueous solution, and their interaction with sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). PGSE-NMR gave a particularly insightful picture of the apparent molecular weight distribution. The presence of the hydrophobes led to a lower effective charge on the polymer at any given pH, compared to the (parent) nonmodified samples. Analysis of the SANS data showed that the propensity to form highly elliptical or rod-like aggregates at higher pHs, reflecting both the changes in protonation behavior induced by the hydrophobic modification and an hydrophobic interaction, but that these structures were disrupted with decreasing pH (increasing charge). The parent samples were not surface active yet the hydrophobically modified samples show pronounced surface activity and the presence of small hydrophobic domains. The surface activity increased with an increase in the degree of modification. On addition of SDS, the onset of the formation of polymer/surfactant complexes was insensitive to the degree of modification with the resultant PEI/SDS complexes resembling the size and shape of simple SDS micelles. Indeed, the presence of the SDS effectively nullifies the effects of the hydrophobe. Hydrophobic modification is therefore a viable option to tailor pH dependent properties, whose effects may be removed by the presence of surfactant.

Soluble complexes in aqueous mixtures of low charge density comb polyelectrolyte and oppositely charged surfactant probed by scattering and NMR

A low charge density polyelectrolyte with a high graft density of 45 units long poly(ethylene oxide) side-chains has been synthesized. In this comb polymer, denoted PEO(45)MEMA:METAC-2, 2 mol% of the repeating methacrylate units in the polymer backbone carry a permanent positive charge and the remaining 98 mol% a 45 unit long PEO side-chain. Here we describe the solution conformation of this polymer and its association with an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS. It will be shown that the polymer can be viewed as a stiff rod with a cross-section radius of gyration of 29 A. The cross section of the rod contracts with increasing temperature due to decreased solvency of the PEO side-chains. The anionic surfactant associates to a significant degree with PEO(45)MEMA:METAC-2 to form soluble complexes at all stoichiometries. A cooperative association is observed as the free SDS concentration approaches 7 mM. At saturation the number of SDS molecules associated with the polymer amounts to 10 for each PEO side-chain. Two distinct populations of associated surfactants are observed, one is suggested to be molecularly distributed over the comb polymer and the other constitutes small micellar-like structures at the periphery of the aggregate. These conclusions are reached based on results from small-angle neutron scattering, static light scattering, NMR, and surface tension measurements.

Deuterium Isotope Effects on the Interaction between Hyperbranched Polyethylene Imine and an Anionic Surfactant

Solvent isotope effects on the interaction between the hyperbranched cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethylene imine (PEI), and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were investigated using potentiometric titration and eletrophoretic mobility measurements. In the basic pH range, a significantly higher fraction of the amine groups was found to be protonated when the PEI was dissolved in D2O compared to H2O at the same pH/pD. The difference in polymer charge in the two solvents decreases gradually with decreasing pH, and it completely diminishes at around pH = 4. Electrophoretic mobility measurements of PEI/SDS complexes at different pH values correlated very well with these observations. At pH/pD approximately 9 a much higher mobility of the PEI/SDS complexes was found in D2O than in H2O at low surfactant concentrations, and the charge neutralization point shifted to a considerably larger surfactant concentration in heavy water. These results can be explained by the significantly higher charge density of the PEI in D2O compared to H2O. However, at the natural pH/pD as well as at pH = 4 and pD = 4 conditions the PEI molecules have roughly equal charge densities, which result in very similar charged characteristics (mobilities) of the PEI/SDS complexes as well as the same charge neutralization SDS concentration. It can be concluded that extreme care must be taken in the general analysis of those experiments in which weak polyelectrolyte/surfactant aggregates are investigated in heavy water, and then these observations are correlated with structures of the same system in water.