Phase Behavior of Bis(Quaternary Ammonium Bromide)/Sodium Cholate/H₂O System

Abstract

Interactions in an oppositely charged surfactant mixture composed of a gemini surfactant (bis(quaternary ammonium bromide)) and a bile salt (sodium cholate) in water were studied at 30°C. A combination of techniques was used including surface tension, conductometry, light scattering, light microscopy, and microelectrophoretic measurements. A strong dependence of the phase behavior on the molar ratio and actual concentration of surfactants was found. The interplay between electrostatic effects, geometry of molecules, and dissimilar separation of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties in the surfactants dictate the interaction mode and the microstructures formed. Instead of precipitation, in the equivalent mixtures formation of complexes, mixed micelles, vesicles, coacervates, and solid crystalline phases have been observed. The extent of interacting forces in mixed micelles formed in equivalent mixtures was evaluated by regular solution theory. A relatively high negative value of interaction parameter indicated a strong attractive interaction between surfactants. The compositions of both mixed micelles and mixed monolayer are found to be almost equimolar.