Fluorescence studies of polymer-surfactant association

Fluorescence spectroscopy has been successfully used for the study of centr al issues of solutions of surfactants and associating polymers. Different f luorescence techniques and methods are uniquely adapted to investigate prob lems in this field and can, by using extrinsic or intrinsic probes, provide information on molecular association, microstructure and molecular dynamic s. This constitutes an important contribution to the understanding and cont rol of macroscopic properties, as well as to their biological functions and technical applications. Important aspects of these mixed systems, related to their self-assembly. are: formation of micelles and hydrophobic microdom ains in general; size and shape of surfactant molecular aggregates: formati on and stability of vesicles: intra- vs. intermolecular association in poly mers; conformational changes in polymers as affected by polymer-surfactant association; surfactant organization in adsorbed layers; kinetic aspects of the formation and disintegration of self-assembly structures: residence ti mes of molecules in microdomains and migration of active molecules. Some of these issues will be addressed in this paper. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevi er Science B.V.