Effect of N-glycinylmaleamic acid on microstructural characteristics and solubilization properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar assemblies

The cosurfactant activity of N-glycinylmaleamic acid (NGMA) in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles has been demonstrated. The complementary techniques of electron spin resonance (ESR) and fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to draw information on hydration index (H), microviscosity (eta), and aggregation number (N) of micellar assemblies. The estimate of the critical micelle concentration of SDS in the presence of NGMA suggests a synergistic effect of NGMA. The enhanced solubilization of butyl propionate in the presence of NGMA in SDS micelles is explained on the basis of availability of larger interfacial area calculated from a simple spherical geometric model, combined with a low hydrophilicity index as estimated from ESR. Thus, addition of NGMA contributes to an increase of about 50% in ratio of area of polar shell (AP)/volume of hydration (Vh) ratio. The decrease in H accompanied by a decrease in eta with the incorporation of butyl propionate probably arises from solubilization of a butyl component inside the core with the adsorption of propionate ester on the interface.