STRUCTURE OF POLYCOMPLEXES COMPOSED OF CR OSS-LINKED SODIUM POLYACRYLATE AND CATIONIC MICELLE-FORMING SURFACTANTS

The structure of polymer-colloidal complexes based on cross-linked sod ium polyarylate and various cation surfactants was studied by means of wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. The polymer-colloidal complexes were shown to be compose d of a set of charged lamellas of surfactant ions attached to the oppo sitely charged cross-linked polyelectrolyte via electrostatic interact ion. Within lamellar aggregates, aliphatic radicals of surfactants wit h a sufficient length of hydrocarbon chain (16 carbon atoms or more) p roduced a crystalline hexagonal structure. The effect of chemical natu re of surfactant, temperature, and water content of hydrogels on the s tructural parameters of polymer-colloidal complexes was studied.