Two-phase structure of polyelectrolyte gel/surfactant complexes

Abstract

The behavior of lightly cross-linked polyelectrolyte hydrogel swelling in the solution of oppositely charged surfactants is studied theoretically. It is shown that if there is a lack of surfactant in the solution intragel separation into two phases differing in swelling ratios and surfactant content can take place. The surfactant ions concentrate and form micelles in a part of the gel and this part collapses while the rest of the gel remains swollen. The two-phase region widens with an increase of ionization degree of the gel subchains.