Segregation in like-charged polyelectrolyte-surfactant mixtures can be precisely tuned via manipulation of the surfactant mass ratio

Langmuir. 2013 Apr 9;29(14):4434-40. doi: 10.1021/la400130x. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Abstract

In this study, we consider segregative phase separation in aqueous mixtures of quaternary ammonium surfactants didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDQ) and alkyl (C12, 70%; C14 30%) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BAC) upon the addition of poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (pDADMAC) as a function of both concentration and molecular weight. The nature of the surfactant type is dominant in determining the concentration at which separation into an upper essentially surfactant-rich phase and lower polyelectrolyte-rich phase is observed. However, for high-molecular-weight pDADMAC there is a clear indication of an additional depletion flocculation effect. When the BAC/DDQ ratio is tuned, the segregative phase separation point can be precisely controlled. We propose a phase separation mechanism for like-charged quaternary ammonium polyelectrolyte/surfactant/water mixtures induced by a reduction in the ionic atmosphere around the surfactant headgroup and possible ion pair formation. An additional polyelectrolyte-induced depletion flocculation effect was also observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzalkonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polyethylenes / chemistry*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Benzalkonium Compounds
  • Polyethylenes
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • poly-N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride
  • didecyldimethylammonium