| Abstract
| - The interaction between uncharged polymer and nonionic surfactants is usually weak or nonexistent,except for the association between polyacids and ethoxylated nonionic surfactants. In this paper we havestudied the interaction between poly(acrylic acid) and an ethoxylated nonyl phenol ether. Below pH 3 aninsoluble complex forms, which redissolves on addition of excess surfactant. While the amount of surfactantrequired to form the maximum amount of precipitate or redissolve the complex is linearly dependent onpolymer concentration, that required for the onset of precipitation is not. Despite the polydisperse natureof the ethoxylate chain, little fractionation of the surfactant after precipitation was observed. The nonionicsurfactant was preferentially partitioned into water rather than dodecane, except where the polymer/surfactant complex formed; in this case the complex dissolved mainly in the dodecane, forming a gelcontaining the oil. The origins of the effect of solution conditions and polymer characteristics on complexformation are discussed.
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