Control of the phase formation process in solutions of anionic polyelectrolyte—cationic surfactant complexes in a microfluidic channel

Abstract

The process of phase formation in solutions of polyacrylic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was studied in microfluidic channels with a characteristic size of 100–200 µm. The system of convection—diffusion—reaction equations was solved to develop an association model in polyelectrolyte—surfactant solutions in a microchannel with the laminar flow of the reactants. The phase formation conditions in the microchannel volume were considered. The recommendations for control of the phase behavior in the microchannel were proposed, as well as for the design and operation mode of microfluidic devices used for the synthesis of polymer—surfactant complexes and characterization of association in polyelectrolyte—surfactant solutions.