Role of the head group on the mixed micellization process in binary systems containing a sugar-based surfactant: decanoyl- N -methylglucamide

Abstract

The mixed micelles of nonionic decanoyl-N-methylglucamide (MEGA-10) with the anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), the cationic dodecyltrimetylammonium bromide (DTAB), and the nonionic octaoxyethylene monododecyl ether (C12E8) have been studied using the fluorescence probe technique. The critical micelle concentration of the three mixed systems in the whole composition range were determined by the pyrene 1:3 ratio method, and the experimental results were analysed in the context of the pseudophase separation model, by using the regular solution theory. It was found that the mixed micelles containing the anionic surfactant are more stable than the pure micelles. This fact was attributed to the occurrence of ion–dipole interactions between the head groups of the component surfactants in the mixed micelle. The static quenching method was used to determine the mean aggregation number of pure and mixed micelles. It was found that whereas mixed micelles containing SDS show a positive deviation from the ideal behaviour, those constituted by DTAB deviate negatively. This different tendency was interpreted on the basis of both steric and electrostatic interactions. The evolution of the microstructure of the mixed micelles upon the participation of the co-surfactant was followed through the micropolarity and microviscosity of the mixed systems. Although the micropolarity studies do not allow definite conclusions, the microviscosity assays indicate that the participation of the co-surfactant induces the formation of less ordered micelles, this effect being more pronounced in the case of mixtures with the anionic surfactant.