Interaction between poly(ethylene oxide) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate as studied by surface tension, conductivity, viscosity, electron spin resonanceand nuclear magnetic resonance

The aggregation of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (AS) in aqueous solution contai ning various amounts of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been investigated by different experimental techniques. The experimental techniques include sur face tension? conductivity, viscosity, electron spin resonance (ESR) and nu clear magnetic resonance (NMR). The critical aggregate concentration of AS on polymer strands as well as the concentration where the polymer becomes s aturated with surfactant has been determined. Both ESR and NMR results indi cate that the AS-PEO complex forms a more "open" structure and that PEO may penetrate into the interior of the micelles.