Molecular and supramolecular structures of complexes formed by polyelectrolyte-surfactant interactions: Effects of charge density and compositions

The process of complex formation and the structure of the complexes were st udied for the surfactant binding of the N-alkylpyridinium chlorides (CnPyCl , n = 12, 16) to the sodium salt of poly(styrenesulfonate) (NaPS) and its c opolymer with styrene. Both the NaPS and the amphiphilic copolymer form non -stoichiometric complexes with an excess of the cationic surfactants. The N aPS-complex with pronounced short-range (d(1)) and long-range (d(2)) orderi ngs is insoluble, and the amphiphilic copolymer-complex is water-soluble wh en bound with extra charges. The mechanism of the complex formation was dis cussed in terms of the charge density and chemical composition of the polym ers. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.