Micellization of sodium dodecyl sulfate and polyoxyethylene dodecyl ethers in solution

The effect of polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactants (C₁₂E _n n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) on the aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in absence and presence of NaCl was examined using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and viscosity measurements. Upon addition of C₁₂E _n , micellar size of SDS was found to increase significantly, and such micellar elongation was further enhanced in the presence of NaCl. Micellar growth is most significant in presence of shorter moieties of C₁₂E _n (e.g., n = 3, 4) as compared to higher ethereal oxygen content. The results of structural investigations with SANS and DLS to confirm this assumption are reported. The cloud point of C₁₂E _n has increased upon addition of SDS and decrease with NaCl, and a typical behavior is observed when both SDS and NaCl were present.