Self-assembly phenomena in multicomponent systems composed of polyelectrolytes and ionic surfactants

The ability of anionic surfactants to expel fluorescencetagged poly(methacrylate) polyanion (PMA*) from nonstoichiometric water-soluble interpolyelectrolyte complex (NIPEC) formed by PMA* and polycation-quencher poly(N-alkyl-4-vinylpyridinium) (PAlkVP) and to form polyelectrolyte-surfactant complex (PESC): NIPEC(PMA*-PAlkVP)+surfactant PESC(PAlkVP-surfactant)+PMA* was revealed and studied by fluorescence quenching technique and high-speed sedimentation. It was found that the transfer of poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) from NIPEC to PESC proceeded up to complete conversion providing a self-assembly of both PESC and NIPEC particles in the course of the reaction. The concentration of the surfactant and the “tail” length of the surfactant molecule, as well as the structure of Alk groups, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and the nature of added low-molecular-weight electrolyte proved to be the factors of the reaction equilibrium control.