Synergistic Polymer–Surfactant-Complex Mediated Colloidal Interactions and Deposition

Abstract

Total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM) is used to directly, sensitively, and simultaneously measure colloidal interactions, dynamics, and deposition for a broad range of polymer–surfactant compositions. A deposition state diagram containing comprehensive information about particle interactions, trajectories, and deposition behavior is obtained for polymer–surfactant compositions covering four decades in both polymer and surfactant concentrations. Bulk polymer–surfactant phase behavior and surface properties are characterized to provide additional information to interpret mechanisms. Materials investigated include cationic acrylamide–acrylamidopropyltrimonium copolymer (AAC), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) surfactant, silica colloids, and glass microscope slides. Measured colloid–substrate interaction potentials and deposition behavior show nonmonotonic trends vs polymer–surfactant composition and appear to be synergistic in the sense that they are not easily explained as the superposition of single-component-mediated interactions. Broad findings show that at some compositions polymer–surfactant complexes mediate bridging and depletion attractions that promote colloidal deposition, whereas other compositions produce electrosteric repulsion that deters colloidal deposition. These findings illustrate mechanisms underlying colloid–surface interactions in polymer–surfactant mixtures, which are important to controlling selective colloidal deposition in multicomponent formulation applications.

Repulsive and attractive depletion forces mediated by nonadsorbing polyelectrolytes in the Donnan limit

“…At low ionic strength however the situation becomes quite complicated and detailed theories still have to be developed that enable a computation of the stability of such systems. Also recent experimental and theoretical studies 36,37 show that the forces between charged colloids in the presence of polyelectrolyte solutions show nonmonotonic, sometimes oscillatory 38,39 trends.…”

Fabricating Network-Link Acetamiprid-Loading Micelles Based on Dopamine-Functionalized Alginate and Alkyl Polyglucoside To Enhance Folia Deposition and Retention

“…Nevertheless, the polymer has little effect on droplet diffusion. In recent years, a large number of studies have demonstrated the existence of intermolecular synergistic effect between polymers and surfactants. − Based on the effect of the binary additive, we proposed a simple strategy to solve the problems of poor wetting and spreading in the spraying process by adding a certain amount of functional polymers/surfactants. These binary additives are expected to solve the problem of low pesticide utilization through the synergistic effect to form composite micelles, thereby enhancing the deposition and retention of the droplets.…”

Visualization of Polymer–Surfactant Interaction by Dual-Emissive Gold Nanocluster Labeling

“…Polymer-surfactant complexes have superior performances and are widely used in the development of detergents, imaging agents, pharmaceuticals, and functional nanomaterials [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. However, the performances of these products are primarily decided by polymer-surfactant interaction [ 5 , 6 ].…”