Rheological studies on the solubilization by the surfactant SDS of complexes between three acidic polysaccharides and an organic base chloride.

Developments in the solubilization of complexes between the cationic polymer, poly(hexamethylenebiguanidinium chloride) (PHMBH+Cl-) and acidic polysaccharides are reported. It was discovered that the anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) is an excellent solubilizer for these complexes, enabling several multi-component systems to be studied. SDS itself was shown to interact with PHMBH+Cl- to form a highly viscous solution. Maximum viscosity was obtained with a SDS:PHMBH+Cl- molar ratio of 15.6. SDS:PHMBH+Cl- at this ratio served as a good solubilizer for the acidic polysaccharides (sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and xanthan), forming highly viscous fluids. The effect of temperature on the viscosity of these solutions was also examined.