Abstract
The gelation caused by the addition of salt to a cationic surfactant solution was experimentally studied. An aqueous solution of CTAB was used for cationic surfactant solution, and an aqueous solution of NaSal, a salt supplier, was injected into the CTAB solution. The gelation was observed by flow visualization, SALS experiments, and flow birefringence measurement. The experimental results showed that the gelation behavior depends on both the NaSal concentration and the injection rate. The flow birefringence measurement revealed that larger gel structures oriented more strongly in the flow direction appear at a higher NaSal concentration.
