Light scattering and NMR studies on the self-aggregation of sodium n-hexylsulfate in aqueous electrolyte solution

The self-aggregation of sodium n-hexyl sulfate (SHS) in aqueous solution ha s been studied from static and dynamic light scattering and H-1 nuclear mag netic resonance (NMR) at 25 degrees C in the presence of added electrolyte concentration (0.0-0.5 mol kg(-1) NaCl). Critical concentrations, aggregati on numbers, effective aggregate charges, and degrees of aggregate ionizatio n have been calculated, with similar results from each of the different tec hniques. The interaction between aggregates was interpreted from diffusion data from dynamic light scattering using DLVO theory. Aggregation propertie s have been determined by application of mass action theory to the concentr ation dependence of H-1 NMR chemical shifts, confirming the results obtaine d by the light scattering techniques.