EMF studies associated with the binding of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide to the polymers poly(propylene oxide), poly(vinylmethylether), and ethyl(hydroxyethyl) cellulose

Emf methods using a surfactant selective electrode have been used to investigate the binding of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide with the polymers poly(propylene oxide), poly(vinylmethylether), and ethyl(hydroxyethyl) cellulose. The data shows that significant binding takes place and the critical concentrations associated with the onset of binding and the saturation of the polymers with bound surfactant have been determined. Measurements of the counterion concentrations also indicate that the bound surfactant is aggregated. It has also been shown that ''free'' micelles occur in solution before the polymers become fully saturated with bound surfactant. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.