Colloidal flocculation of micellar solutions of anionic surfactants

Abstract Micellar solutions of anionic surfactants usually precipitate in the presence of cations, following a mechanism by which initially cations bind themselves to the micellar surface until saturation is achieved. At higher cation concentrations, unbound cations precipitate with surfactant monomers. In a few cases cations, and especially Al 3+ , cause surfactant micelles to flocculate. These flocs have properties as adsorbents of acidic organic compounds, which might be used in water treatment processes. Both α‐olefinsulfonates C 14 −C 16 , and laurylsulfate micellar solutions are fast flocculation colloidal systems in the presence of Al 3+ .