Phase conditions, hydrodynamic features and salt influence in the polymer-amphiphile interaction for the EHEC/SDS/water system

Abstract

Two fractions of ethyl(hydroxy)ethyl cellulose, EHEC, and their interactions with sodium dodecyl sulphate, SDS, have been investigated. The effect of salt on these interactions was explored. The more hydrophobic fraction exhibits a cloud point (CP) of 30°C, and the more hydrophilic fraction has a CP around 65°C. The properties of the systems were studied by means of hydrodynamic (viscosity), equilibrium dialysis and cloud point measurements. Dye solubilization was used to obtain indications of cluster formation on the polymer backbone. The equilibrium dialysis shows a steep binding beginning at a critical surfactant concentration indicating a cooperative effect in the EHEC/SDS/water system. It is found that when the degree of binding is moderate and only 10–20% of the value at saturation, the specific viscosity effects occur and solutions containing high polymer concentrations pass a marked maximum in viscosity. It is shown that the maximum in viscosity and the collcoil interaction, expressed as Huggins constant,kH, appear a composition with the same fractional amount of SDS adsorbed to both EHEC fractions. It was found that the onset of redistribution and increase in viscosity were shifted to higher SDS concentrations, although still below the normal CMC, for the EHEC fraction with a high CP. When small amounts of salt are present in the EHEC/SDS/water solutions, the CP curves develop a pronounced minimum at low SDS concentrations. The redistribution of SDS to the polymers starts immediately in the presence of salt, but the viscosity of the solutions is affected only in a very narrow composition interval.