The reduction of surface tension in water achieved by the addition of surfactants is of interest for a variety of environmental issues. Contaminants in groundwater can be eliminated more readily via a reduction in interfacial tension between the organic contaminant and the water, or through micellar action. Widespread application requires an improvement of this surface activity, and many studies have achieved this via the formation of surfactant complexes with polymers. We explore the properties that contribute to the synergy between these two classes of molecules by examining the interfacial adsorption behavior of two polymer/surfactant systems. Dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, UV/VIS and vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize their size, charge, and activity at the oil/water interface. The results show concentration-specific increases in surface activity as well as a generally higher surface activity for the CTAB/PSS system. Future work could aim to delve into finding an overall trend for concentration-specific activity, or to explain differences in activity despite a high level of structural similarity between the surfactants.

Concentration-specific interfacial activity of polymer/surfactant complexes at the oil/water interface

2019 Spring National Meeting

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