Thermodynamic studies of the adsorbed films and micelles of sodium taurodeoxycholate

Surface tension of aqueous solutions was measured for sodium taurodeoxycholate, as a typical example of the bile salt compounds, in the temperature range 20 to 35 degrees C at 2.5 degrees C intervals and concentration range 0 to 7 mmol kg(-1). We examined thermodynamic quantities obtainable from the surface tension measurements according to the thermodynamic relations given by K. Motomura [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 64, 348 (1978)]. Sodium taurodeoxycholate was strongly adsorbed and formed the saturated adsorbed film at low concentrations. However, the gaseous/expanded phase transition does not take place in the film. The thermodynamic quantities associated with adsorption did not change as markedly at the critical micelle concentration as those observed for typical surfactants. It was suggested that molecular interactions between sodium taurodeoxycholate molecules in aqueous solutions and adsorbed films are too weak to induce critical changes in the thermodynamic quantities. (C) 1997 Academic Press.