Polymer/surfactant interaction—Its relevance to detergent systems

Abstract The field of polymer/surfactant interaction is reviewed in this work. Results from two investigative methods, viz. , dialysis and surface tension, are discussed, illustrating the main behavioral patterns and outlining the principles of the interactions. Next, aspects of the interaction phenomena that appear to have relevance to detergent formulation are presented. These include solution rheology, solubility control and surface conditioning. Lastly, the importance of surface activity of the polymer itself is stressed, culminating in a discussion of the properties of hydrophobically modified water‐soluble polymers (“polymeric surfactants”), both alone and in the presence of conventional surfactants.