Gemini surfactant-nonionic polymer mixed micellar systems

Tensiometry, dynamic light scattering, and optical spectrophotometry are employed to quantitatively characterize the aggregation behavior of a gemini (dicationic) surfactant in aqueous solutions in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) with a molecular mass of 20000 Da or a Pluronic F127 block copolymer with a molecular mass of 12600 Da. It is shown that the formation of surfactant-polymer mixed aggregates decreases the positive surface potential of gemini surfactant micelles and is one of the main reasons for weakening of the micellar catalytic effect in hydrolysis of carboxylic acid esters.