Interaction between star-like block copolymer and sodium oleate in aqueous solutions

The interaction between a star-like block copolymer (AP432) and an anionic surfactant sodium oleate (C₁₇H₃₃COONa) was investigated in detail both at the air/water interface and in bulk aqueous solutions. The results of surface tension show that AP432 and C₁₇H₃₃COONa could form mixed micelles. The results obtained from the oscillating barrier measurements at low dilational frequencies (0.01-0.1 Hz) reveal that the maximum values of the dilational modulus for AP432/C₁₇H₃₃COONa mixed system moved to lower concentrations compared to those of single AP432 or C₁₇H₃₃COONa aqueous solutions. Steady-state fluorescence measurements indicate that after mixing, the I₁/I₃ values of AP432/C₁₇H₃₃COONa system above the cmc are higher than those of single AP432 or C₁₇H₃₃COONa solutions. This is probably due to a looser pack of the molecules within micelles for the AP432/C₁₇H₃₃COONa mixture, which is also consistent with the results obtained from TEM observations. For comparison, the interaction between a commercially available linear PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer (Pluronics L64) and C₁₇H₃₃COONa was also studied. All experimental results give clear evidence that the interaction between L64 and C₁₇H₃₃COONa is different from that between AP432 and C₁₇H₃₃COONa.