Aggregation of sodium dodecyl sulfate in poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous solution studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy

• DOI: 10.1007/s00396-001-0640-5
• Publication Date: 2003-02-13T03:47:05Z
• Authors: H.Z. Yuan; L. Luo; L. Zhang; S. Zhao; S.Z. Mao; J.Y. Yu; L.F. Shen; Y.R. Du
• Keywords: Sodium dodecyl sulfate; Nuclear Overhauser effect; Micellar solutions; Aggregation number

1H NMR self-diffusion coefficient, spin–spin relaxation and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy measurements of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous solution show that SDS molecules start to self-aggregate at a concentration of 3.3 mM, which is well below the normal critical micellar concentration (cmc). SDS micelles are formed when the cmc is reached with PEG solubilized in their hydrophobic micellar cores.