Small angle neutron scattering study of structural aspects of nonionic surfactants (Tween 20 and Tween 80) in the presence of polyethylene glycols and triblock polymers

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique has been used to study the micellar behavior of nonionic surfactants, Tween 20 and Tween 80 with additives like polyethylene glycols (PEG with molecular mass 400, 6000, and 15,000) and triblock polymers (TBPs) of varying composition. Surfactant-additive interactions have been explained on the basis of parameters like aggregation number (Nagg), core radius (Rc), hard sphere radius (Rhs), volume fraction (φ) and axial ratio (b/a). The SANS analysis indicate the reduction in values of Nagg of Tween on addition of PEG additive. Shape of Tweens (3 wt %) micelles in the presence of PEG (10 wt %) is found to oblate ellipsoidal. Similarly, the shape of Tween (3 wt %) micelles is oblate ellipsoidal at low concentration of TBPs (1 wt %); however, they become spherical as the concentration of TBP increases to 10 wt %. The shape of micelles of pure TBPs also comes out to be spherical. Results reflects that at low concentration of TBP shape is controlled by surfactant (Tween 20 and Tween 80) while at high concentration of TBP shape of mixed micelle is controlled by TBP.