Mixed surfactant–polyzwitterion self-assemblies in aqueous solutions

The formation of pre-critical macromolecular self-assemblies resulting from a dipole–dipole interaction between the zwitterionic side groups of poly(dimethyl(methacryloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate) in its aqueous, saltless solutions is proved viscosimetrically and by means of dynamic laser light scattering. The behavior of these self-assemblies in the presence of surfactants is determined by the interrelation of the two types of driving forces for self-association: dipole–dipole and hydrophobic interactions. This interrelation is controlled by the molar ratio of the surfactants and the zwitterionic monomer units, which bear the material causes for these interactions.