Colloidal properties of polymerizable counterion surfmers solutions based on alkylamino 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonates in different solvents

Abstract

Three polymerizable surfactants (surfmers) bearing 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as polymerizable group in the counterion have been designed, synthesized, and their micelle-forming properties have been investigated in different solvents. Solutions of dodecylammonium (DDA-AMPS), cetylammonium (CA-AMPS), and cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA-AMPS) 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonates were studied in water, water-dioxane mixtures in a whole range of components ratios, and xylene. The solutions were investigated by capillary and rotational viscometry, conductometry, and small-angle neutron scattering; aggregates adsorbed from the solutions on as-split mica were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surfmers follow general regularities of surfactant behavior in aqueous solutions. Decrease in polarity of the media with an increase in dioxane content in water-dioxane mixtures leads to disappearance of direct micelles. At low water content (below 5%) the surfmers form reverse micelles in the mixtures. The surfmers form reverse micelles in low polarity solvents, such as xylene, which should affect the polymerization results.