Adsorption of cationic and nonionic surfactants on a SiO2 surface from aqueous solutions: 2. Adsorption of dodecylpyridinium bromide and Triton X-100 from mixed solutions

Adsorption of cationic (dodecylpyridinium bromide) and nonionic (Triton X-100) surfactants from their mixed aqueous solutions on a SiO2 surface at pH 3.6, 6.5, and 10 is studied by the UV spectroscopy, capillary zone electrophoresis, and wetting measurements. It is shown that the adsorption of cationic and nonionic surfactants from mixed solutions is accompanied by synergistic effects manifesting themselves as an enhanced adsorption of both surfactants compared to their adsorption from individual solutions. The effect of second component becomes most pronounced under conditions when differences in adsorption abilities of individual surfactants are rather large (at pH 3.6 and 10). It is shown that the adsorption of surfactants from mixed solutions can be controlled by the adsorption ability of components via the variations in solution pH.