Segregation versus Interdigitation in Highly Dynamic Polymer/Surfactant Layers

Many polymer/surfactant formulations involve a trapped kinetic state that provides some beneficial character to the formulation. However, the vast majority of studies on formulations focus on equilibrium states. Here, nanoscale structures present at dynamic interfaces in the form of air-in-water foams are explored, stabilised by mixtures of commonly used non-ionic, surface active block copolymers (Pluronic^®) and small molecule ionic surfactants (sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS, and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, C₁₂TAB). Transient foams formed from binary mixtures of these surfactants shows considerable changes in stability which correlate with the strength of the solution interaction which delineate the interfacial structures. Weak solution interactions reflective of distinct coexisting micellar structures in solution lead to segregated layers at the foam interface, whereas strong solution interactions lead to mixed structures both in bulk solution, forming interdigitated layers at the interface.