Interaction of Azo Dye with Cationic Surfactant Under Different pH Conditions

The aggregation induced by Alizarin Yellow R (AYR) in the cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was investigated by measuring their UV-visible absorption spectra. Conductance measurements as a function of surfactant concentration below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) were studied. CTAB aggregation takes place at the concentration far below its normal CMC in the presence of AYR. Both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions affect the aggregation process in aqueous solution. The dye effect on the CMC of CTAB was noted by a specific conductivity method as well. AYR-CTAB binding constant (K(s)) and water-micelle partition co-efficient (K(x)) were quantified with the help of mathematical models employed to determine the partitioning of organic additives in the micellar phase. The number of dye molecules per micelle was estimated at particular CTAB concentrations above CMC, during this study.