Study on Synergistic Effect Between Wormlike Micelles and Hydrophobically Modified Poly(acrylic acid) in Salt Solution

The complex system of hydrophobically modified poly (acrylic acid) (HMPA) and wormlike micelles formed by sodium oleate in the presence of sodium acetate is investigated by apparent viscosity and rheological measurements. Addition of small amount of HMPA markedly enhances the viscosity of wormlike micelles, with further increase of HMPA concentration, a viscosity drop is observed. At high salinity, the complex system still remains strong viscoelastic and eliminates the limitation of susceptibility to salt for HMPA. DPD simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data, which provide theoretical confirmation for a synergistic mechanism between HMPA and wormlike micelles.