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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols
Published on: April 21, 2017
An Anionic Surfactant on an Anionic Substrate: Monovalent Cation Binding
Finian J Allen1, Lucy R Griffin1, Richard M Alloway1
1Department of Chemistry and BP Institute, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Neutron reflectometry has been used to study the adsorption of the anionic surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate cesium salt on the anionic surface of mica. Evidence of significant adsorption is reported. The adsorption is reversible and changes little with pH. This unexpected adsorption behavior of an anionic molecule on an anionic surface is discussed in terms of recent models for surfactant adsorption such as cation bridging, where adsorption has been reported with the divalent ion calcium but not previously observed with monovalent ions.
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