Ternary complexes involving a β-cyclodextrin polymer, a cationic surfactant and an anionic polymer

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes have been prepared by mixing in aqueous solutions an anionic polymer, a neutral beta-cyclodextrin polymer and a cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride. In this ternary system, electrostatic interactions are involved between the opposite charges of the surfactant and the anionic polymer, whereas inclusion complex interactions link the surfactant to the neutral beta-cyclodextrin polymer. The occurrence of these ternary complexes has been proved for three different anionic polymers: sodium polystyrene sulfonate, sodium dextran sulfate and herring sperm DNA fragments.