Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Accurate Determination of the Equilibrium Surface Tension Values with Area Perturbation Tests
Published on: August 30, 2019
Dynamic surface tension of polyelectrolyte/surfactant systems with opposite charges: two states for the surfactant at
Hernán A Ritacco1, Jorge Busch
1Laboratorio de Sistemas Líquidos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ritacco@lps.u-psud.fr
Abstract:
The molecular reorientation model of Fainerman et al. is conceptually adapted to explain the dynamic surface tension behavior in polyelectrolyte/surfactant systems with opposite charges. The equilibrium surface tension curves and the adsorption dynamics may be explained by assuming that there are two different states for surfactant molecules at the interface. One of these states corresponds to the adsorption of the surfactant as monomers, and the other to the formation of a mixed complex at the surface. The model also explains the plateaus that appear in the dynamic surface tension curves and gives a picture of the adsorption process.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Active Agents
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Surface Tension
Surface Tension and Surface Energy
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
The Electrical Double Layer
Micelles

