Association of quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) and sodium dodecyl sulfate in water-alcohol solvents

Complexation of a cationic polyelectrolyte (partially quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine)) and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous-organic solutions with different ratios of the components is studied by ion-selective potentiometry, viscometry, spectrophotometry, and microelectrophoresis. Effects of the nature and composition of water-alcohol (methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol) mixtures on the parameters of binding of surfactant ions by polyelectrolytes, the hydrodynamic properties of complexes, and the phase state of the system are examined. The addition of small amounts of ethanol and isopropanol to water (20 vol % ethanol and 10 vol % isopropanol) leads to an increase in the intensity of sodium dodecyl sulfate binding by the polyelectrolyte. The addition of up to 30 vol % methanol is not accompanied by a change in the character of surfactant binding relative to that of the aqueous solution. The relationship between the complexing behavior of the polyelectrolyte and the structural features of mixed solvents is discussed.