Surfactants and Polymers in Aqueous Solution

A unique book which discusses the solution chemistry of surfactants and polymers, presenting both the theory of surfactant and polymer interactions and also giving practical help for workers in this area. Surfactants are used together with polymers in a wide range of applications such as detergents, paints, paper coatings, food, pharmacy and cosmetics. Together the surfactant and polymer provide the stability, rheology, etc., needed for specific application. Hence the need for knowledge about physicochemical properties of both surfactants and polymers and polymer-surfactant interactions, to enhance formulation work. This book, based on successful courses run by the authors, brings the two topics together to enable readers to gain a good understanding of the solution behaviour of surfactant-polymer combinations. It includes a thorough description of surfactant types, including their main synthetic routes, and discusses physicochemical phenomena such as self-assembly, adsorption, gel formation and foaming. Particular attention is paid to the solution behaviour of surfactants and polymers containing polyoxyethylene chains. Surface-active polymers are then presented and their interaction with surfactants is a core topic of the book. The choice of surfactant for emulsions and microemulsions is treated in depth and important applications of microemulsions, such as detergency and enhanced oil recovered are presented. This book will be invaluable for scientists and engineers involved in surfactant production and formulation as well as students.