Surfactant solutions, thermodynamics conformations

Diblock copolymers consisting of soluble and insoluble parts (Fig. 2b) act much as grafted chains once they are adsorbed on the surface. However, the thermodynamics of the initial solution, consisting primarily of micelles, and the conformation of the insoluble blocks on the surface affect the coverage in ways not well understood (e.g., Munch and Gast, 1988 Marques et al., 1988 Gast, 1989). Many dispersants or polymeric surfactants are synthesized in this way (Reiss et al, 1987). 

Stimuli responsiveness includes conformational and thermodynamic phase transitions (e.g., lower critical solution temperature [LCST]), aggregation, abihty to encapsulate and release other agents (e.g., drugs), abihty to interact with surfactants, other polymers, etc. StimuU producing these responses include tanperature, light, pH, ionic strength, specific small molecules, surfactants, solvent type and mixtures, etc [104-109]. 

The origins of the cloud point of ethoxylate nonionics are not yet fully imderstood we can, however, mention the most reliable explanations behind this behavior. The general explanation of the decrease in solubility at higher temperatures is an increase in the effective attraction between solute like molecules and surfactant dehydration. These rationales derived from thermodynamic or conformational considerations can account for this behavior ... 

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