Substitution reactions occurring in cross-linked polyanion-linear polycation-anionic surfactant triple systems

The interaction between stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes [cross-linked poly(sodium acrylate)-linear polyamine] and anionic surfactants was studied. It was first established that polycomplex gels can efficiently sorb anionic surfactants. The driving force of this process is the substitution reaction resulting in the formation of a polymer-colloid complex (linear polyamine-anionic surfactant) in the bulk of the cross-linked matrix. The structure of the reaction products was investigated by means of wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering and DSC. It was shown that the cross-linked matrix does not prevent a lamellar structure of the micellar phase typical of polymer-colloid complexes from forming.