Key factors of selected tensides used for full notch creep test of high density polyethylene

The thesis deals with the study of surface-active properties, zeta potential, particle size and adhesion of surfactants (Arkopal N110, Igepal CO-520, Igepal CO-890, Dehyton PL, sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) selected for full notch creep test method. To determine the surface phenomena occuring in a solution due to their presence at 25, 50 and 80 °C, the Du Noüy ring method of surface tension measurement was used. The importance of factors such as concentration, ionic character and the molecular structure of the surfactants, temperature and dispersion media (pH, purity) were analysed. Dynamic light scattering measurements were performed in order to evaluate the particle size and the electrophoresis method was used to determine the zeta potential. The results were compared to the contact angle measurements, i. e. adhesion tendency between surfactant solutions and the surface of selected types of high density polyethylene. The optical analysis was used to evaluate the contact angle. The negative impact of water purity was negated. The temperature dependecy was specific for each of the examined surfactant species, however the relationship between temperature and the length of hydrophilic chain was discovered. Alkaline pH was less convenient for amphoteric surfactant than acid or neutral environment, but this might have been caused by components contained in the buffer. The character of surfactant solutions was mostly monodisperse. The only exceptions were 1mM Igepal CO-520 and 3mM Dehyton PL. Further investigation led to conclusion that the molecules tend to form agglomerates. Adhesion was in accordance with surfactant effectiveness of surface reduction and adsorption. However, this theory did not match the data obtained from testing acid and neutral Dehyton PL solutions' adhering to polyethylene species containing carbon black