Structuring liquids through solvent-assisted interfacial association of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and amphiphiles.

HYPOTHESIS: Sculpting liquids into different shapes is usually based on the interfacial interactions of functionalized nanoparticles or polymers with specific ligands, leading to exciting material properties due to the combination of the mobility of liquid components with the solid-like characteristic of the arrested liquid/liquid interface. There is an intense interest in novel structured liquids produced from simple compounds with versatile application potentials. Complexes of oppositely charged commercial polyelectrolytes and traditional aliphatic surfactants are good candidates for this goal since they reveal rich structural features and could adsorb at various interfaces. However, they have not been applied yet for structuring liquids. EXPERIMENTS: The interfacial interactions and film formation between aqueous sodium poly(styrene) sulfonate solutions (NaPSS) and hexadecylamine (HDA) solutions in various alkanols were investigated by surface tension measurements and ATR-IR spectroscopy. 3D printing experiments also assessed the robustness of the formed films. FINDINGS: Arrested fatty alcohol/water interfaces were formed due to the interfacial association of NaPSS, HDA, and alkanol molecules, which also act as cosurfactants in the surface region. These solid films enable the synthesis of temperature-sensitive all-in-liquid constructs and offer alternatives to bulk polyion/mixed surfactant assemblies prepared earlier through numerous synthesis steps.

Adsorption of Dye Molecules and Its Potential for the Development of Photoactive Hybrid Materials Based on Layered Silicates.

The present paper gives a brief account of the latest advances in understanding of the mechanism and implications of dye adsorption with a special focus on layered silicate surfaces. It has been clearly demonstrated that the controlled adsorption of novel or already well-known dyes has equally great yet unexplored potential. In principle, the well-engineered surface confinement of the molecules may lead to their aggregation, adsorption, or intercalation-induced fluorescence emission even with conventional dyes, which are not considered as luminophores in solutions or in the solid state. We envision the utilization of silicate-based heterogeneous systems to produce novel polymer blended films or structured liquids, as well as to develop a plethora of other photophysical and biomedical applications.

Non-Arrhenius kinetics and slowed-diffusion mechanism of molecular aggregation of a rhodamine dye on colloidal particles.

The non-covalent association is important for many fields of science, including processes in living systems. This work elucidates the mechanism of rhodamine 123 molecular aggregation in dispersions of a layered silicate and explains the mystery of the slow kinetics of this process. Chemometric analysis of thousands of spectra recorded by stopped-flow visible spectroscopy identified two parallel diffusion processes described by a two-phase exponential function. The slow and fast processes followed the super-Arrhenius kinetics and were assigned to lateral (surface) diffusion and inter-particle diffusion of dye cations, respectively. This work, supported by a large amount of data and their in-depth analysis, provides the first evidence of how these processes coexist together and provides quantitative analysis of their dependence on the reaction conditions. The implications of this work can be crucial for understanding the mechanism of the non-covalent association of adsorbed molecules in nature.

Foliar dust and heavy metal deposit on leaves of urban trees in Budapest (Hungary).

This work considers dust deposition and the heavy metal (HM) content on leaves of urban trees (Acer platanoides L. 'Globosum,' Fraxinus excelsior L. 'Westhof's Glorie' and Tilia tomentosa Moench.) in order to estimate the trees' capacity to remove dust and HM from the air. Leaves were collected from the Buda Arboretum and from different streets of heavy traffic in Budapest, Hungary, during 2015 and 2016. At each site, five trees were sampled by collecting 6 leaves from each tree from the height of 2-3 m. Dust deposits on the leaves were removed by soaking the fresh foliage in distilled water for 20 h and then washed with ultrasound shaking. Afterward, the leaves were dried to constant weight and then they were digested in nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide treatment, and their Pb, Fe, Ni, Zn and Cu contents were measured using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP AS) spectrometer. The removed dust deposit was dried, and after a similar digestion treatment the Pb, Fe, Ni, Zn and Cu contents were measured using an AURORA AI 1200 AAS appliance. The HM deposit was calculated in mg m-2 leaf surface area. In 2015, the amount of foliar dust deposit from spring to autumn increased from 86.3 to 270.2 mg m-2. The most efficient tree species in trapping dust on their leaves was the silver linden (98.5-123.5 mg m-2), followed by the Norway maple (74.2-84.8 mg m-2) and the common ash (62.8-74.6 mg m-2). The deposit of HM elements showed seasonal differences: the quantity of Fe and Pb deposit on autumnal leaves increased five- to tenfold, while other heavy metals did not show accumulation. Silver linden with its pubescent (hairy) leaf surface proved to be most efficient in entrapping and retaining dust and heavy metals. The 60-100% higher Pb and Fe content of autumnal leaves indicate that over the season leaves may absorb Fe and Pb from the foliar dust. Our results confirmed that the foliar dust is a potential indicator for monitoring the HM content in the air. We also show that foliar dust deposits should be considered when estimating the capacity of urban trees to clean the air.

Effect of Added Surfactant on Poly(Ethylenimine)-Assisted Gold Nanoparticle Formation.

In a variety of applications, functionalization of gold nanoparticles is needed to ensure adequate surface charge and hydrophobicity for their biodistribution, interparticle interactions, or self-organization. In the present paper, we provide an economic way for the synthesis of hydrophobized poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) capped gold nanoparticles at room temperature using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The approach is based on the controlled competition between the nucleation of gold nanophases within the PEI molecules and the SDS binding onto their amine groups. This can be achieved via utilizing the strongly irreversible nature of the association between the oppositely charged polymer and that of the surfactant molecules. Specifically, by varying the order and timing of SDS addition during the process of gold nanoassembly formation, the size distribution, the morphology, and the local hydrophobic environment of the produced Au-PEI/SDS nanohybrids can be tuned even at one composition of the system. The results may be further exploited for the preparation of noble metal nanoassemblies with controlled hydrophobicity and charge.

Effect of Dilution on the Nonequilibrium Polyelectrolyte/Surfactant Association.

Polyelectrolyte (PE)/surfactant (S) mixtures play a distinguished role in the efficacy of shampoos and toiletries primarily due to the deposition of PE/S precipitates on the hair surface upon dilution of the formulations. The classical interpretation of this phenomenon is a simple composition change during which the system enters the two-phase region. Recent studies, however, indicated that the phase properties of PE/S mixtures could be strongly affected by the applied solution preparation protocols. In the present work, we aimed at studying the impact of dilution on the nonequilibrium aggregate formation in the sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS)/dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)/NaCl system. Mixtures prepared with hundredfold dilution of concentrated NaPSS/DTAB/NaCl solutions in water were compared with those ones made by rapid mixing of dilute NaPSS/NaCl and DTAB/NaCl solutions. The study revealed that the phase-separation concentration range as well as the composition, morphology, and visual appearance of the precipitates were remarkably different in the two cases. These observations clearly demonstrate that the dilution/deposition process is also related to the nonequilibrium phase properties of PE/S systems, which can be used to modulate the efficiency of various commercial applications.

A review of numerical models to predict the atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides.

The field of atmospheric dispersion modeling has evolved together with nuclear risk assessment and emergency response systems. Atmospheric concentration and deposition of radionuclides originating from an unintended release provide the basis of dose estimations and countermeasure strategies. To predict the atmospheric dispersion and deposition of radionuclides several numerical models are available coupled with numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems. This work provides a review of the main concepts and different approaches of atmospheric dispersion modeling. Key processes of the atmospheric transport of radionuclides are emission, advection, turbulent diffusion, dry and wet deposition, radioactive decay and other physical and chemical transformations. A wide range of modeling software are available to simulate these processes with different physical assumptions, numerical approaches and implementation. The most appropriate modeling tool for a specific purpose can be selected based on the spatial scale, the complexity of meteorology, land surface and physical and chemical transformations, also considering the available data and computational resource. For most regulatory and operational applications, offline coupled NWP-dispersion systems are used, either with a local scale Gaussian, or a regional to global scale Eulerian or Lagrangian approach. The dispersion model results show large sensitivity on the accuracy of the coupled NWP model, especially through the description of planetary boundary layer turbulence, deep convection and wet deposition. Improvement of dispersion predictions can be achieved by online coupling of mesoscale meteorology and atmospheric transport models. The 2011 Fukushima event was the first large-scale nuclear accident where real-time prognostic dispersion modeling provided decision support. Dozens of dispersion models with different approaches were used for prognostic and retrospective simulations of the Fukushima release. An unknown release rate proved to be the largest factor of uncertainty, underlining the importance of inverse modeling and data assimilation in future developments.

Numerical simulations of atmospheric dispersion of iodine-131 by different models.

Nowadays, several dispersion models are available to simulate the transport processes of air pollutants and toxic substances including radionuclides in the atmosphere. Reliability of atmospheric transport models has been demonstrated in several recent cases from local to global scale; however, very few actual emission data are available to evaluate model results in real-life cases. In this study, the atmospheric dispersion of 131I emitted to the atmosphere during an industrial process was simulated with different models, namely the WRF-Chem Eulerian online coupled model and the HYSPLIT and the RAPTOR Lagrangian models. Although only limited data of 131I detections has been available, the accuracy of modeled plume direction could be evaluated in complex late autumn weather situations. For the studied cases, the general reliability of models has been demonstrated. However, serious uncertainties arise related to low level inversions, above all in case of an emission event on 4 November 2011, when an important wind shear caused a significant difference between simulated and real transport directions. Results underline the importance of prudent interpretation of dispersion model results and the identification of weather conditions with a potential to cause large model errors.

Preparation of Gold Nanocomposites with Tunable Charge and Hydrophobicity via the Application of Polymer/Surfactant Complexation.

During the synthesis of gold nanoparticle (NP) assemblies, the interfacial charge and hydrophobicity of the primary particles play a distinguished role. In the present article, we demonstrate that the association of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) capped gold NPs with sodium alkyl sulfates provide a powerful route for the manipulation of these interfacial properties. Dynamic light-scattering, electrophoretic mobility, UV-vis-near-infrared spectroscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and transmission electron microscopy measurements were used to characterize the PEI/surfactant/gold nanoassemblies. The results indicate the formation of gold NPs surrounded by a PEI/surfactant shell with composition-dependent charge and hydrophobicity. The mean size and the aggregation of the nanoassemblies can be fine tuned by the amount of surfactant bound to the primary gold NPs as well as by the application of controlled mixing methods. The specific features of the prepared nanocomposites may be further exploited in next-generation applications.

Effect of the Charge Regulation Behavior of Polyelectrolytes on Their Nonequilibrium Complexation with Oppositely Charged Surfactants.

The nonequilibrium features of oppositely charged macromolecule/surfactant mixtures have been the subject of intensive research recently. Although the nature and extent of polyion charge crucially affect the development of trapped states in these systems, their role in the nonequilibrium association is still poorly understood. In the present study, the impact of mixing on the complexation of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with sodium poly[(vinyl alcohol)-co-(vinyl sulfate)] (PVAS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) samples of similar charge densities has been compared using a variety of experimental methods. The results indicate largely different nonequilibrium behavior depending on the polyions. In the case of the weak polyacid PAA, the binding of CTAB increases its ionization degree, which leads to enhanced equilibrium two-phase concentration range, where kinetically arrested states can be observed upon rapid mixing of the solution components. In contrast, the charge density of the double-hydrophilic PVAS copolymer is fixed, and in addition to the binding of CTAB onto its vinyl sulfate groups, the surfactant molecules also bind onto the vinyl alcohol segments of the copolymer. These factors result in reduced precipitation concentration range and diminishing nonequilibrium effects with decreasing polyion charge density. Our study clearly demonstrates that the charge regulation behavior of various polyelectrolytes can be successfully used to tune the nonequilibrium characteristics of macromolecule/surfactant association.

Predictability of the dispersion of Fukushima-derived radionuclides and their homogenization in the atmosphere.

Long-range simulation of the dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere is one of the most challenging tasks in geosciences. Application of precise and fast numerical models in risk management and decision support can save human lives and can diminish consequences of an accidental release. Disaster at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been the most serious event in the nuclear technology and industry in the recent years. We present and discuss the results of the numerical simulations on dispersion of Fukushima-derived particulate (131)I and (137)Cs using a global scale Lagrangian particle model. We compare concentrations and arrival times, using two emission scenarios, with the measured data obtained from 182 monitoring stations located all over the Northern Hemisphere. We also investigate the homogenization of isotopes in the atmosphere. Peak concentrations were predicted with typical accuracy of one order of magnitude showing a general underestimation in the case of (131)I but not for (137)Cs. Tropical and Arctic plumes, as well as the early detections in American and European midlatitudes were generally well predicted, however, the later regional-scale mixing could not be captured by the model. Our investigation highlights the importance of the parameterization of free atmospheric turbulence.

Impact of Polyelectrolyte Chemistry on the Thermodynamic Stability of Oppositely Charged Macromolecule/Surfactant Mixtures.

The complexation between hexadecyl- and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromides (CTAB and DTAB) with sodium poly[(vinyl alcohol)-co-(vinyl sulfate)] (PVAS) copolymer of low charge density has been investigated using pyrene fluorescence spectroscopy, electrophoretic mobility, turbidity, and dynamic light scattering measurements. The results indicate that the binding of the cationic surfactant occurs in three steps. At low surfactant concentrations, the cationic amphiphile binds to the vinyl sulfate groups. Above charge neutralization, surfactant binding may occur on the surface of the hydrophobic vinyl sulfate/CnTAB nanoassemblies. At even higher concentrations, the surfactant binds on the nonionic vinyl alcohol units of the polyion which reswells the PVAS/CnTAB complexes and makes them highly soluble in water. In earlier studies on oppositely charged ionic surfactants and homopolyelectrolytes the impact of mixing protocols was found remarkable, especially at surfactant excess, where these systems can be trapped in the charge stabilized colloidal dispersion state. In contrast, in the case of PVAS/CnTAB mixtures the effect of mixing is less pronounced and diminishes with increasing ionic strength or decreasing alkyl chain length of the surfactant. These findings are rationalized by taking into account the different binding mechanism of surfactants on oppositely charged homopolyelectrolytes and double hydrophilic copolymers.

Anisometric Polyelectrolyte/Mixed Surfactant Nanoassemblies Formed by the Association of Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Dodecyl Maltoside.

The soluble complexes of oppositely charged macromolecules and amphiphiles, formed in the one-phase concentration range, are usually described on the basis of the beads on a string model assuming spherelike bound surfactant micelles. However, around and above the charge neutralization ionic surfactant to polyion ratio, a variety of ordered structures of the precipitates and large polyion/surfactant aggregates have been reported for the different systems which are difficult to connect to globular-like surfactant self-assembly units. In this article we have demonstrated through SAXS measurements that the structure of precipitates and those of the soluble polyion/mixed surfactant complexes of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and dodecyl-maltoside (DDM) are strongly correlated. Specifically, SDS binds to the PDADMAC molecules in the form of small cylindrical surfactant micelles even at very low SDS-to-PDADMAC ratios. In this way, these anisometric surfactant self-assemblies formed in excess polyelectrolyte mimic the basic building units of the hexagonal structure of the PDADMAC/SDS precipitate and/or suspensions formed at charge equivalence or at higher SDS-to-PDADMAC ratios. The presence of DDM reduces the cmc and cac for the system but does not alter significantly the structure of the complexes in either the one-phase or two-phase region. The only exception is for samples at SDS-to-PDADMAC ratios close to charge neutralization and a high concentration of DDM where the precipitate forms a multiphasic or distorted hexagonal structure.

Complexation between Sodium Poly(styrenesulfonate) and Alkyltrimethylammonium Bromides in the Presence of Dodecyl Maltoside.

In the present paper, the impact of dodecyl maltoside (C12G2) on the association of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) with dodecyl- and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromides (DTAB and CTAB) was studied. A low amount of nonionic surfactant enhances the binding of the investigated cationic amphiphiles on PSS, reducing the cationic surfactant-to-polyanion ratio needed for charge neutralization and precipitation. This effect is more pronounced for DTAB than for CTAB due to the considerably higher free surfactant concentration of the former cationic amphiphile. The synergistic surfactant binding also affects the nonequilibrium features of PSS/CTAB association via enhancing the kinetically stable concentration range of overcharged polyion/surfactant nanoparticle dispersions. With increasing C12G2 concentration, however, an opposite effect of the uncharged additive dominates. Namely, the CTAB molecules are solubilized excessively into mixed surfactant micelles, which reduces the surface charge of the PSS/CTAB/C12G2 nanoparticles and thus destabilizes their dispersion. At appropriately large nonionic surfactant concentrations, the binding of CTAB is largely reduced, resulting in the redissolution of the precipitate. In contrast, neither the destabilization nor the resolubilization effects of the added dodecyl maltoside were observed for the PSS/DTAB system due to the much lower driving force of DTAB binding compared to CTAB. Our results clearly demonstrate that the alkyl chain length of the ionic amphiphile has a pronounced effect on both the equilibrium and nonequilibrium aspects of polyion/mixed surfactant complexation which might be further exploited in various next generation applications.

Fine-tuning the nonequilibrium behavior of oppositely charged macromolecule/surfactant mixtures via the addition of nonionic amphiphiles.

The various commercial applications of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (P) and ionic surfactants (S) with added nonionic amphiphiles initiated intensive research on the polyion/mixed surfactant interaction. A large group of earlier studies revealed that one of the major effects of the nonionic cosurfactants is the suppression of the associative phase separation of P/S systems. In contrast, recent studies indicated that in the dilute surfactant concentration range the added uncharged amphiphile enhances the precipitation concentration range. In order to rationalize these observations, the mixtures of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and dodecyl maltoside (C12G2) are investigated using a variety of experimental methods. It is shown that the nonionic cosurfactant has two distinct and competing impacts on the mixed surfactant binding onto the polyions. The composition dependent variation of the chemical potentials of the amphiphiles determines which of these effects is the dominant one, explaining the seemingly diverse earlier observations and their interpretations. We also demonstrate that the nonionic amphiphile affects considerably the nonequilibrium features of polyion/ionic surfactant complexation. Namely, the presence of the uncharged surfactant can destabilize the colloidal dispersion of P/S nanoparticles formed in the two-phase composition range. However, at the same concentration range highly stable dispersions of polyion/mixed surfactant nanoparticles can be produced through the application of a new two-step solution preparation technique. This method is based on the order of addition effect of the two surfactants which can be utilized in future scientific and industrial applications.

The impact of nonionic surfactant additives on the nonequilibrium association between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and ionic surfactants.

The effect of uncharged surfactant additives on the oppositely charged polyion/ionic surfactant complexation is usually described as a direct equilibrium association between the polyelectrolyte molecules and free mixed micelles analogous to the polyion/colloidal particle interactions. This approach predicts that the binding of the ionic surfactant to the polyelectrolyte molecules can be completely suppressed by increasing the nonionic-to-ionic surfactant ratio. In the present work, it is shown that the addition of nonionic surfactants to poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/sodium dodecyl sulfate mixtures considerably enhances the binding of the anionic surfactant to the polycation in the dilute surfactant concentration regime. The dynamic light scattering, turbidity, electrophoretic mobility and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements are consistent with the synergic binding of the ionic and nonionic surfactants to the polyelectrolyte molecules. The enhanced surfactant binding could be utilized for the preparation of stable colloidal dispersions of novel polyion/mixed surfactant nanoparticles over a wide composition range provided that adequate mixing protocols are used. These results clearly indicate that the nonionic surfactant additives can be successfully used to tune the nonequilibrium association of oppositely charged macromolecules and amphiphiles.

A new class of bioactive glasses: calcium-magnesium sulfophosphates.

Low-melting ionic sulfophosphate glasses from the system P2O5-SO4-MO-Na2O (M = Zn(2+), Ca(2+) or Mg(2+)) have been previously shown by us to allow tuneable aqueous dissolution and also enable processing temperatures well below 400°C. Sulfate ions are extremely safe for use in the body as decades of use of calcium sulfate bone grafts testifies and there is no known limit on their adult oral toxicity. This glass system therefore offers great potential for use as biomaterials, especially in organic-inorganic hybrid systems such as glass-polymer composites for tissue engineering or drug encapsulation and delivery applications. A compositional region was identified where stable sulfophosphates of the type P2O5-SO4-(Ca, Mg, Zn)O-Na2O can be fabricated. For these glasses, the viscosity-temperature-dependence, glass transformation temperatures (Tg ) and the onset of crystallization were evaluated as the primary processing parameters. As a first step in exploring their potential as a biomaterial, in this study we examine the bioactivity of several compositions of these glasses using fibroblast, monocyte, and osteoclast cell culture models to determine cellular responses in terms of attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and toxicity.

Effect of linear nonionic polymer additives on the kinetic stability of dispersions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/sodium dodecylsulfate nanoparticles.

In this article, the impact of different neutral polymers on the kinetic stability of charge-stabilized poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)/sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) colloidal dispersions is analyzed using dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, turbidity, and coagulation kinetics measurements. Poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and dextran of comparable molecular masses as well as a higher-molecular-weight dextran sample were tested as nonionic additives. The light scattering and mobility data indicate that the PEO and PVP molecules may adsorb on the surface of the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles formed in the presence of excess surfactant. The primary effect of these additives is manifested in enhanced coagulation of the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles due to bridging at lower polymer concentrations and depletion flocculation at higher polymer concentrations. These findings are in sharp contrast to the earlier published effect of the same nonionic polymers on the poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI)/SDS colloidal dispersions, which can be sterically stabilized at appropriate PEO or PVP concentrations. However, the adsorption of the investigated dextran samples is negligible on the PDADMAC/SDS nanoparticles. Therefore, dextran molecules may cause only depletion flocculation in the PDADMAC/SDS system in the vicinity of the critical overlap concentration.

In vitro reactivity of Cu doped 45S5 Bioglass® derived scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Cu-doped 45S5 bioactive glasses with varying Cu contents were fabricated and used to process 3D porous scaffolds via the foam replica technique. Cu-doping results in the weakening of the glass network and a decrease in its glass transition temperature. Acellular in vitro studies revealed very high bioactivity independent of Cu doping as indicated by the fast formation of a carbonated hydroxyapatite layer (CHA) on scaffold surfaces after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The kinetics of the glass-ceramic scaffold's transition to an amorphous calcium phosphate layer (ACP) and the crystallisation of CHA were explored by FT-IR and SEM analyses. The elemental distribution in the scaffold/fluid interface region was monitored by the advanced micro-PIXE-RBS (particle induced X-ray emission/Rutherford backscattering spectrometry) method. Cu-containing glasses showed slower release of Si, Ca and P from the scaffold periphery, whereas traces of Cu were found incorporated in the CaP layer on the scaffold surface. Cu release kinetics from the scaffolds in SBF were found to depend on culturing conditions while highest Cu concentrations of ∼3.1 ppm and ∼4.6 ppm under static and quasi-dynamic conditions, respectively, were observed. Since Cu exhibits potential angiogenic and osteogenic properties, the Cu-containing scaffolds are suggested as promising materials for bone tissue engineering applications.

Adsorption of sugar surfactants at the air/water interface.

The adsorption isotherms of n-decyl-ß-D-glucoside (ß-C(10)G(1)) as well as various n-alkyl-ß-D-maltosides (ß-C(n)G(2)) with n=8, 10, 12 and 14 were determined from surface tension measurements. Based on the analysis of the adsorption isotherms, the total free energy change of adsorption was determined and a novel method was proposed to determine the maximum adsorbed amount of surfactant. It can be concluded that the driving force for adsorption first increases with increasing adsorbed amount of the sugar surfactants and then levels off in a plateau. This peculiar behaviour is interpreted as formation of a thin liquid-like alkane film of overlapping alkyl chains at the air/water interface once a certain adsorbed amount is exceeded. The driving force of adsorption depends on the alkyl chain length only and is not affected by the type of the head group. The hydrophobic contribution to the standard free energy change of adsorption was compared with the values of sodium alkylsulfate and alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants. This comparison reveals that the hydrophobic driving force of adsorption is the largest for the sodium alkylsulfates, whereas it is the same for the sugar surfactants and the alkyltrimethylammonium bromides.