Interactions of partially screened polyelectrolyte layers with oppositely charged surfactant in confined environment

We studied the association of hydrophobically anchored polyelectrolyte layers with a free oppositely charged surfactant at a hydrophobized solid–liquid interface under partially screened conditions using the surface forces and ellipsometry techniques. Combining results from both measurements, we conclude that the association of surfactant (from solution below the cmc) with partially screened adsorbed polyelectrolyte layers causes a reduction in the surface density of the polymer chains and a subsequent reduction in the extensibility of the chains.