Order-disorder transitions in polymer-surfactant systems

Abstract
We report on time resolved combined differential scanning calorimetry, small-angle and wide-angle x-ray scattering of hydrogen bonded flexible polymer-surfactant systems. The results show the presence of an order-disorder transition from a homogeneous to a lamellar structure due to dynamic coupling between surfactant and polymer. The homogeneous state exhibits a distinct small-angle x-ray scattering peak due to characteristic comb copolymerlike fluctuations. The peak position is strongly dependent on temperature and on the amount of surfactant material.