Adsorption of Detergents on Fabrics

The adsorption of detergent-type molecules on fabrics and at the solid-solution interface in general shows a complexity that might be mentioned briefly. Some fairly characteristic data are shown in Fig. XlIl-15 [242]. There is a break at point A, marking a sudden increase in slope, followed by a maximum in the amount adsorbed. The problem is that if such data represent true equilibrium in a two-component system, it is possible to argue a second law violation (note Problem Xni-14) (although see Ref. 243). 

After reviewing various earlier explanations for an adsorption maximum, Trogus, Schechter, and Wade [244] proposed perhaps the most satisfactory one so far (see also Ref. 243). Qualitatively, an adsorption maximum can occur if the surfactant consists of at least two species (which can be closely related) what is necessary is that species 2 (say) preferentially forms micelles (has a lower CMC) relative to species 1 and also adsorbs more strongly. The adsorbed state may also consist of aggregates or hemi-micelles, and even for a pure component the situation can be complex (see Section XI-6 for recent AFM evidence of surface micelle formation and [246] for polymeric surface micelles). Similar adsorption maxima found in adsorption of nonionic surfactants can be attributed to polydispersity in the surfactant chain lengths [247], Surface-active impuri- 

Finally, adsorption dynamics can play an important role in detergency [232]. It is the subject of a model study [232] and a comprehensive review [233]. 

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