Properties of CHAPS micelles modulated by different polyelectrolytes

Fluorescence probing, and ζ-potential measurements have been used to study the interactions between the zwitterionic surfactant 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammonium]-1-propanesulphonate, CHAPS and two polyelectrolytes with different electric charge. The polyelectrolytes chosen are poly (diallyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride), PDADMAC, and poly (sodium styrene sulphonate), PSS. Results show that the zwitterionic surfactant CHAPS interacts with both, polyanion and polycation molecules, resulting in polymer–surfactant micelles. The dominating factor in this interaction is the electrostatic attraction. We found that the ζ-potential of polymer–surfactant micelles can be modulated by the addition of different type of polyelectrolytes or modifying the polymer concentration. Using dynamic surface tension measurements we estimate the micelle dissociation rate constants. Results show that the addition of polymers increases the micelle lifetime.