Abstract

A frequently used method to obtain the desired flow behavior of surfactant formulations is to utilize the surfactant aggregates themselves. This can be done by converting spherical micelles to worm-like micelles by addition of a hydrophobic thickener; additionally, the surfactant aggregates can be bridged by using hydrophilic, associative thickeners. In order to understand why some formulations are hard to thicken, the origin of the salt and/or pH curves, or the temperature dependence of viscosity, one should take a closer look at the morphologies and properties of the surfactant aggregates formed.