Structure of Polymer/Surfactant Complexes Formed by Poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Abstract

The small-angle neutron scattering from poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) has been investigated in the presence of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). At pH 9.1, the polymer is a Gaussian coil whose size is determined primarily by nonelectrostatic interactions. The presence of the polymer induces micellization of the surfactant, even at surfactant concentrations below the surfactant's normal critical micelle concentration. The polymer decorates the surfactant micelles and in some respects resembles a polymer adsorbed on a spherical particle.