Rheological characteristics of the adsorption layers of interpolymer associates of serum albumin and polystyrene at the water-xylene interface

Mixed interfacial adsorption layers formed by bovine serum albumin dissolve d in water and polyelectrolytes [polystyrene or poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid)] dissolved in m-xylene are studied. The how curves of the interfacia l adsorption layers having yield stresses are obtained. These layers are: c haracterized by elastic and viscous properties. Interpolymer associates for med at the liquid-liquid interface exhibit a rheological synergistic effect . This effect is attributed to hydrophobic interactions between similarly c harged polyelectrolytes at the interface, resulting in the two-dimensional interfacial flocculation of the protein colloidal particles. A model of the associate structures of the interfacial adsorption layers at the interface of two immiscible liquids is proposed.