Comparative Study of Effect of Surfactant-Polymer Interactions on Properties of Alkyl Polyglucosides and Alpha Olefin Sulphonate

The properties of Alpha Olefin Sulphonate (AOS) and Alkyl polyglucosides (APG) were studied in the presence and absence of nonionic polymers such as polyethylene glycol, poly vinyl pyrrolidone and methyl cellulose and hydroxy propyl cellulose. Properties like surface tension, foaming, viscosity and emulsification were studied at a constant concentration of polymer (0.1%) and varying concentrations of surfactant. It was found that at low surfactant concentrations there is an association between surfactant and polymer at the liquid/air surface in the case of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic polymer, which is not seen in the case of nonionic surfactants and nonionic polymers. A nonionic polymer reduces the surface tension of AOS by forming a surfactant-polymer complex which in turn increases the foamability, emulsifying property and viscosity of solution. APG does not show any effect on its surface tension in the presence of nonionic polymers but its foamability and emulsifying properties are improved. Reduction in surface tension is not the only reason behind increased foamability in the presence of the polymer. Higher molecular weight polymers give a rich, creamy foam because of increased viscosity in the surfactant solution as compared to lower molecular weight polymers.