Surfactant Aggregation, Micelle Formation and Interfacial Behavior in Aqueous Solutions
This community investigates how surface-active molecules organize into micelles and other structures in water, and how these assemblies interact with drugs, proteins, and other solutes.
The work centers on the physicochemical properties of ionic and non-ionic surfactants, specifically cationic agents like cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and anionic agents like sodium dodecyl sulfate. Researchers examine micellization behavior, aggregation numbers, and surface tension in aqueous solutions, often at varying temperatures. A significant strand of the research explores the interactions between these surfactants and biological macromolecules, including serum albumin and bile acids, as well as their effects on drug solubility and stability. Methodologies frequently involve molecular dynamics simulations, neutron scattering, and atomic force microscopy to characterize these interfacial phenomena.
The largest share of the community's output is found in sodium research, accounting for 1.9% of all sodium research, and 1,962 papers here. Bromine research also features prominently, with 3.4% of its total research volume and 1,795 papers within this group.
The community comprises 12,225 papers, published primarily in Langmuir, the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, and the Journal of Molecular Liquids.
Recent work continues to focus on the structural dynamics of gemini surfactants and mixed micellar solutions, as well as the interaction between surfactants and polymers like sodium alginate. Studies also address the formation of foams and the stability of emulsions, including specific applications in food packaging and pharmaceutical formulations.