Complex salts containing hexadeciltrimethylammonium surfactant and different ionic copolymers : phase equilibrium and structural characterization

• Grant number: 07/05914-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2008
• End date: February 28, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Watson Loh
• Grantee: Ana Maria Percebom Sette da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 00/06635-8 - Thermodynamic studies of interactions in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, with emphasis on calorimetry, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project aims at extending earlier studies conducted by this research group using a new approach to assess the phase equilibrium and to analyze structures of mesophases formed by mixtures of oppositely charged surfactants and polymers. Its specific objectives involve the preparation of three new complex salts using the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium and two ionic copolymers. The first is a commercial random copolymer containing styrenesulfonic and maleic acid monomers. Complexes will be prepared with sequential neutralization of the different ionic species, producing two complexes with different surfactant to monomer ratios : all neutralized and another with only one of the monomers neutralized by the surfactant. Another random copolymer will be synthesized containing ionic methacrylate groups and non-ionic monomers of ethoxylated methacrylate. With this complex salt we wish to assess the effect of the hydrophilic EO unit on the complex phase behavior. These complexes will be investigated in binary (+ water) and ternary mixtures (+ water + alcohol, either butanol or decanol).