Properties of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes obtained by polymerization of an ionic monomer in a solution of an oppositely charged surfactant

Properties of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes obtained by template polymerization of an ionic monomer in a micellar solution of an oppositely charged surfactant were studied using nephelometric turbidity measurement, polyelectrolyte titration and dynamic light scattering. It was shown that their properties differ from properties of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes obtained by mixing of solutions of a polyelectrolyte and a surfactant. A template polymerization as a synthesis way of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes makes it possible to obtain water-soluble complexes noticeably enriched with surfactant ions, as compared to the complexes formed by mixing due to the difference in complex structures.

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► A new way of synthesis of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes is described.
► The properties of resultant polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes were studied.
► The resultant polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes are enriched with surfactant ions.
► The resultant polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes are very stable.
► Their structures differ from complexes structure obtained by mixing.