Surface Tension and Viscoelasticity of Alkane Solubilized Surfactant Monolayers

The behavior of solubilized alkanes at the surface of DoTAB solutions for various surfactant bulk concentrations below and above the cmc is described. Several techniques such as tensiometry, ellipsometry, and Brewster angle microscopy, as well as an excited capillary wave device are used for the study. Alkanes do not wet the surface completely and form a mixed monolayer with the surfactant. Rather unusual viscoelastic behavior is observed for the mixed monolayers. This suggests a new type of relaxation phenomenon, but its origin remains to be elucidated. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press