Formation of ordered microstructures in polyelectrolyte/surfactant systems: linear anionic polyelectrolytes and cetylpyridinium chloride

Synchrotron X-ray scattering was used for the structural investigation of c omplexes between anionic polyelectrolytes and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC ). According to the Bragg peaks, different types of ordering are proposed. Cetylpyridinium chloride in con;junction with carrageenan forms bilayers co nnecting rigid polysaccharide chains. In the presence of poly(styrenesulfon ate), several micelles are bound to one chain. They appear rather small in size due to specific interactions with this polyion. In poly(acrylate)/CPC and poly(methacrylate)/CPC solutions, a cubic structure is indicated.