Polymer-Surfactant Networks Highly Responsive to Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon-sensitive hydrogels were prepared on the basis of networks, in which some subchains are composed of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide, while others are made of long cylindrical surfactant micelles of potassium oleate. In these hydrogels, the polymer component strengthens the network, especially at elevated temperatures, whereas the surfactant component imparts a high responsiveness to the hydrocarbon medium. The rheological studies demonstrate that added hydrocarbons induce the transformation of the gel-like system to a fluid with low viscosity. SANS data evidence that the transformation is accompanied by the breaking of the cylindrical surfactant micelles, that leads to the disruption of the whole network.