Surfactant - Polyelectrolyte complexes: Structure and Interactions

Abstract

This thesis describes studies on the self assembly, phase behaviour, structure and stability of ionic surfactant-water systems in the presence of oppositely charged linear polyelectrolytes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Using a variety of experimental techniques, such as small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM), we probe diverse phases formed by these systems and the underlying interactions. Research work presented in this thesis can be broadly divided into two parts: (i) Interaction of a linear anionic polyelectrolyte with the lamellar phase of a cationic surfactant, and (ii)Interaction of cationic surfactants with DNA