Surface-induced structures in surfactant and polymer–surfactant systems: the potential for interesting surface dynamics

Abstract

From neutron reflectivity and other studies, a variety of interesting surface and interfacially-induced structures in surfactant and polymer–surfactant mixtures have been observed. These range from surface-induced micellisation, lamellar ordering at interfaces and the adsorption of polymer–surfactant complexes giving rise to layered structures at the interface. It has been observed that in many cases, these surface structures give rise to interesting and often unexplained surface visco-elastic properties. The combination of neutron spin echo and reflectivity techniques provides the potential for the opportunity to study the surface dynamics of such systems. In the context of the potential applications of inelastic neutron reflectivity, the need for further and more detailed investigations of surface dynamics in such systems are discussed.

Keywords:

• Neutron reflectivity
• Polymer–surfactant mixtures
• Surface dynamics
• Surface-induced structures