Structural effects of cationic surfactants in polyacrylamide-surfactant interaction: Micellisation/adsorption of polyacrylamide

The structural effects of two cationic surfactants, viz., dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and benzalkonium chloride, in polyacrylamide surfactant interactions has been studied. The effect of structural features of the surfactant on the micellization and/or on adsorption has been studied in terms of CMC/C-20 ratio. An increase in the polymer content, increasing -CH2 group in the tail of the cationic surfactant or increasing the bulkiness of the hydrophobic head group of the surfactant favors the adsorption polymer on the surfacant.