An investigation into the interactions between a polymer and a surfactant using viscosity, conductivity and surface tension measurements

The interactions between surfactants and polymers in the form of aqueous dispersions were studied. The used polymers were poly (ethylene glycol) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, while sodium dodecyl sulphate and polysorbate 20 were chosen as model surfactants. The surface aspects of the proposed polymer/surfactant interactions were analysed by means of surface tension and conductivity measurements. Changes in the physical properties were quantified by the measurement of viscosity. The obtained results revealed large differences in the behaviours of the polymers in the presence of model surfactants. Carboxymethylcellulose was shown to desorb the ionic surfactant from the interface. Also, it was shown that ionic surfactants interact notably with polymers. This was attributed to the strong interactions between the micelles of surfactant and the polymeric chains. On the other hand, no signs of interaction were detected between non-ionic surfactants and polymers.