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The aggregation behavior of cationic copolymer methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride‐butyl acrylate‐acrylamide (MTAC‐BA‐AM) was investigated via surface property and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements, as well as Mesodyn simulation, etc. The experimental results indicate that MTAC‐BA‐AM has the ability for decreasing surface tension of water and there are two break points in the surface tension isotherm; and its surface dilational viscoelasticity and apparent viscosity in aqueous solution depend upon aggregate structure. The Mesodyn simulation results show that spherical, cylindrical aggregates, and network structures form in aqueous solution with the concentration increasing. The aggregation process is driven by enthalpy and can be divided into two stages. The first stage is controlled by diffusion, while the second one is controlled by hydrophobic interaction.
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support for this work by the Natural Science Foundation (20573067) of China.