Polymer-Amphiphile Interactions: An Overview

Abstract

Interactions between the polymers and amphiphiles in aqueous solutions have generated considerable interest among researchers because of the widespread applications, relatively complex behavior and improved physicochemical properties of the mixtures. Numerous studies on the surfactant-polymer systems have been carried out in recent years and the number of scientific reports has considerably increased. Various applications of polymers in different areas and many works concerning the amphiphiles are being published every year. Usually, the mixed systems containing polymers and amphiphiles show solution properties different from those of individual solutions due to interaction between the components. The present review article mainly focuses on the behaviour of polymers in aqueous solutions, in the absence or presence of amphiphiles, such as surfactants, drugs, etc. It also summarizes effect of the nature of amphiphiles on aggregation properties of polymers in aqueous solution, and interaction of conventional as well as gemini surfactants with polymers.

Salt Effect on the Solution Properties of Cationic Gemini/Conventional Surfactants in the Presence of the Nonionic Polymer Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose

“…At present, investigation on the polymer‐amphiphile interactions in aqueous solutions has created significant interest among the researchers (Banipal et al, ; Bhardwaj et al, ; Khan et al, ; Panda and Kamil, , b) because of the wide applications, relatively complex behavior, and improved physicochemical properties of the mixtures. Interaction of the polymer with amphiphile has been extensively studied for its applications in process industries.…”