Adsorption of ionic surfactants

Two adsorption models for ionic surfactants based on the Frumkin equation are examined to describe the measured surface tension isotherms of a series of alkali dodecylsulphates. In the model A the number of optimization parameters is reduced by additional modeling. The adsorption of counter-ions in the Stern layer is described via forming of ionic bonds, which free energy is significantly higher than that obtained by the model B. Concurrently the lateral interactions on the water/air interface are also found to be orders of magnitude stronger. Thus, the values of the adsorption parameters are more realistic, which supports the model A as a more relevant one.