Anionic-nonionic surfactant micelles retain full solubilizing power when complexed with cationic polymers, which can then be used to attach them to anionic surfaces, such as quartz sand or silica. These immobilized micelles can effectively remove organophilic pollutants from water.  Surfactant loading on substrate is optimized via ionic strength and pH during the adsorption steps, as well as the anionic-nonionic ratio. Interestingly, maximum loading occurs when the bridging polyelectrolyte is bigger than the porosity of the substrate. Surface active sand could be deployed in multiple modes, and pollutant-saturated surfactant readily released under increased salinity.

Micelle mop: Polycation-tethered surfactants for NAPL cleanup

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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