Interfaces, or surfaces in particular (fluid-solid interfaces), are the boundary limits
of two immiscible phases characterized by the surface free energy. Getting insight into
their fundamental property is of great importance for both scientific and industrial activities.
Such an approach enables us to control the formation and stabilization of colloidal
systems, which consist of producing homogenous dispersions from at least two initially
immiscible phases. In this mini-review, the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of fluid surfaces
are overviewed. Successively, the main phenomena occurring at the interfaces and
the appropriate methodology of investigations, the role of amphiphilic molecules in modifying
surface properties and generating various functionalities as a function of their chemical
structure, size, and shape, and the current approaches for characterizing interactions as
well as synergism or antagonism within mixed systems are treated. Relevant relationships
of dynamic fundamental properties to macroscopic consequences at the solid and fluid interfaces
of single and mixed amphiphile systems are illustrated.
Mixed Systems of Hydrophobically Modified Polyelectrolytes: Controlling Rheology by Charge and Hydrophobe Stoichiometry and Interaction Strength†
