Anionic surfactants are not known to show a clouding phenomenon in aqueous solutions. On the other
hand, this is a general feature for nonionic surfactants. Here the effect of addition of tetra-n-butylammonium
bromide (Bu4NBr) on the clouding phenomenon in sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) has been
studied by measuring cloud points (CP) for each combination. Similar type of studies were also performed
with poly(ethylene glycol) t-octylphenyl ether (TX-100). The CP varies in an opposite manner for the two
classes of surfactants, which is explained in terms of charge variation in each type of micelles by the
addition of Bu4NBr. A relationship between [SDBS] vs [Bu4NBr] has been worked out for getting the CP
− phenomenon in SDBS solutions: nearly one Bu4NBr molecule is needed for each two SDBS monomers
for getting the CP in the system. With 10-mM SDBS, the addition of Bu4NBr shows an interesting phase
behavior, where a stable colloidal phase with bluish − white appearance (preclouded) appears preceded
by conventional clouding. Effects of the addition of ureas (urea and tetramethylurea), thioureas (thiourea
and tetramethylthiourea), amino acids (glycine, alanine, leucine and phenylalanine), and sugars (xylose,
arabinose and dextrose) have also been seen on the 50-mM SDBS + 35-mM Bu4NBr system (this system
was chosen because its CP has a wider window available for variations below and above the CP). Ureas
and thioureas affect the CP in different manners, which are explained in the light of indirect and direct
interactions with micelles. CP variation in the presence of amino acids depends on their polar and hydrophobic
nature. On the other hand, sugars behave in a manner similar to their effect on solubility of hydrophobic
compounds in aqueous solutions.