Polymer–surfactant interactions: neutron scattering and reflectivity

Recent studies of bulk and interfacial properties of polymer–surfactant systems using neutron scattering and neutron reflectivity are presented, with some discussions on a few selected systems. In bulk, the principal interests are centred on thermosensitive and hydrophobically modified associative polymers, where structural information has been used to interpret the effects of surfactants on the solubilization behavior, phase separation and gelation processes of these polymers. Conversely, the effects of polymers anchored in surfactant layers and membranes and the resulting phase changes in microemulsion systems have also received much interest. At the interface, information obtained on the structure and composition of mixed polymer–surfactant layers is discussed in relation to the surface tension and stability of these layers.