Relationship of structure to properties in surfactants. III. Adsorption at the solid‐liquid interface from aqueous solution

Surfactants adsorb onto solid substrates from aqueous solution by a number of different mechanisms: ion exchange, ion pairing, hydrogen bonding, physical adsorption by polarization or dispersion forces. The relationship of the mechanism of adsorption to such factors as the nature of the solid substrate, the molecular structure of the surface active adsorbate, and the pH, electrolyte content, or other additive content of the aqueous phase is discussed. The effect of structural groups in the surfactant molecule on the efficiency, effectiveness, and rate of adsorption onto various types of solid substrates, charged, polar, and nonpolar, is reviewed and explained, and typical adsorption isotherms are presented. Adsorption of surfactant affects the properties of the solid substrate, such as hydrophilic or hydrophobic character, dispersibility, and reactivity towards reagents and dyes. These effects are discussed and explained.