Comparative study of the viscoelastic micellar solutions of R16HTAC and CTAC in the presence of sodium salicylate

A comparative study of the rheological properties of cationic surfactants 3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, referred to as R16HTAC, and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) in the presence of sodium salicylate (NaSal) have been carried out by using steady state and frequency sweep rheological measurements. The zero-shear viscosities η0 all appears maximum value in the especial point where the molar ratio of surfactant and NaSal is 1 for both surfactants (R16HTAC and CTAC). The characteristic parameters for two systems are discussed on the basis of their different molecular structures, which leaded to higher viscoelasticity for R16HTAC mixed solution than CTAC. The microstructure of the formed micelles and strong network for R16HTAC/NaSal mixed aqueous solution has been confirmed by transmission electronic microscopy and 1H NMR technology. The antimicrobial properties and toxicity of two surfactants were also investigated.