Mixed micelles of some metal dodecyl sulfates and triton X-100 in aqueous media

Tensiometric studies on several binary surfactant mixtures containing anionic surfactants, viz., metal (lithium, sodium, potassium, copper, cobalt, and magnesium) dodecyl sulfates and a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) in water at different mole fractions (0-1) provide critical micelle concentration (CMC) values. The composition of mixed micelles and the interaction parameter, P, evaluated from the CIVIC data for different systems using Rubingh's theory, are discussed. Marked interaction is observed with monovalent dodecyl sulfates. The influence of counter-ion valence on the formation of mixed micelles was investigated for anionic-nonionic systems, and results indicated that mixed systems with bivalent counter-ions in metal dodecyl sulfate resembled nonionic-nonionic systems where weak/negligible interaction has been reported. Salt addition revealed the weakening of interaction in the mixed systems, which is attributed to the head group charge neutralization and the dehydration of the ethylene oxide units of the nonionic surfactants. A few cloud point and viscosity data are also reported.