Polymer–surfactant complexes as flocculants

Surfactant–polymer interactions were studied in the bulk solution using polyelectrolyte titration, nephelometric turbidity, dynamic light scattering and dynamic surface tension. For the preparation of complexes the surfactant quartolan (which is bearing a cationic charge), was used in combination with three polyanions that differ in their structure and molar mass. The interaction of the surfactant with poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS) was compared with two poly(maleic acid-copolymers): poly(maleic-co-propene) (P-MS-P) and poly(maleic-co-α-methylstyrene) (P-MS-MeSty). In all cases a strong interaction between surfactant and polymer was obtained resulting in the formation of nanoparticles with certain properties depending on the composition of the mixture. So it is possible to tailor complexes with different charge (from positive to negative), size, or stability. Complexes between quartolan/P-MS-MeSty are relatively unstable whereas quartolan and P-MS-P give dispersions which are stable for month (up to years). They can be successfully used for the removal of disperse dyes.