Caracterização Químico-Física de Novos Polímeros Estabilizantes ...

surfactants associate to the polymer both in a non-cooperative way, by the binding of
surfactant molecules, and in a cooperative way as micelles, as the polymer induces
surfactant self-assembly. This polymer-surfactant binding leads to a charged complex
and to an osmotic swelling and consequent increase in viscosity. The results show that
ionization promoted by surfactants and by pH lead to approximately the same gelation
degree, as can be seen by very similar viscosity values. It is also concluded that more
hydrophobic surfactants are more efficient as enhancers of swelling and gelation.
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