Viscoelastic Behavior of Alkyl Ether Sulfate Systems Containing Nanosized Colloidal Silica

Abstract

AbstractSurfactant systems incorporating wormlike micelles (WLM) are utilized in both industrial and consumer products. While the viscoelastic behavior of such systems provides for many desired end‐use properties, there is often a need to further modify the rheological properties of such systems. These WLM systems behave much like polymer systems. Furthermore, incorporation of nanosized particles results in interaction of nanoparticles with the large WLM structures altering the rheological behavior. While there are a number of studies that have focused on the effect of particles on the rheological behavior in cationic surfactant systems, fewer studies have been done on systems containing anionic surfactants. In this study, relaxation behaviors in systems containing sodium alkyl ether sulfate and sodium carbonate were studied. The anionic surfactant was an alkyl ether sulfate with an average chain length of 12 carbons and one ethoxy group. WLM behavior was achieved through the addition of sodium carbonate. Ludox TMA, a nanosized colloidal silica, was employed at different concentrations in the WLM systems. Temperature was varied between 5 and 45°C. While characterization of relaxation in terms of the Maxwell model adequately described data below the threshold of ωτ ~1, the model failed to adequately describe behavior at higher frequencies. A modified expression with an additional relaxation mode adequately described relaxation throughout the frequency range studied. It was also found that zero‐shear viscosities generally increased with an increase in silica concentration, and relaxation times decreased. Measurements of relaxation due to a compressive stress via ultrasonic attenuation measurements in the surfactant/particle systems are also discussed.