The development of advanced materials with tunable properties and high viscoelasticity has been a focal point in polymer science and industrial applications. This study investigates a novel composite system formed by incorporating sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) into a hydrophobically associated water-soluble polymer (PAAC) solution. The synergistic interaction between the polymer and surfactant leads to a dramatic enhancement in viscosity, even at low concentrations of both components. Rheological measurements reveal that the maximum viscosity is achieved at a polymer-to-surfactant mass ratio of 15:1, where the viscosity increases by up to one hundredfold compared to the individual polymer solution. Notably, this composite exhibits a distinct viscosity plateau under dynamic shear conditions, indicating robust network formation and excellent resistance to flow disruption.
Microstructural analysis via cryo-transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) confirms the presence of large-scale aggregate structures exceeding 500 nm in size when the optimal ratio is used. These aggregates are attributed to the formation of mixed micelles stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic forces between the carboxylate groups of PAAC and the anionic headgroups of SDS. Fluorescence spectroscopy using pyrene as a probe further supports this mechanism: the I₁/I₃ intensity ratio decreases initially with increasing surfactant concentration, signaling the formation of more nonpolar microdomains within the system. This trend reverses at higher ratios, suggesting structural reorganization and eventual dissociation of the network due to excessive surfactant.
The composite demonstrates strong shear-thinning behavior, a hallmark of structured fluids, where apparent viscosity drops significantly beyond a critical shear rate.SOX9 Antibody custom synthesis Despite this, the system maintains stability across a wide range of shear rates, highlighting its potential for use in demanding processing environments.Galectin-9 Antibody custom synthesis Furthermore, the material exhibits excellent salt tolerance, with peak viscosity observed at 20,000 mg/L NaCl, demonstrating enhanced performance in saline conditions typical of oilfield applications.PMID:35260581 Temperature studies show that the composite retains superior viscoelasticity over a broad temperature range, with a lower activation energy for viscous flow (24.61 kJ/mol) compared to the pure polymer (34.92 kJ/mol), indicating improved thermal stability.
Crucially, no phase separation occurs even at high polymer and surfactant concentrations, confirming the system’s thermodynamic stability. This stability arises from the strong hydrophobic association and balanced electrostatic interactions that prevent macroscopic aggregation. In contrast to conventional systems relying on wormlike micelles, this approach achieves high viscoelasticity without requiring such complex morphologies. The findings open new avenues for designing low-concentration, high-performance viscoelastic fluids for applications in enhanced oil recovery, personal care products, and drug delivery systems. This work establishes a clear framework for engineering polymer-surfactant composites through rational control of molecular architecture and intermolecular interactions.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com
