Abstract: The effects of nonelectrolytes (ureas, amino acids, sugars) on the cloud point (CP) of nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 (TX-114) and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) system were studied. Ureas as well as thioureas increased the CP. Behaviors of amino acids depended upon their nature. Nonpolar and uncharged polar amino acids were less effective in changing the CP. However, tryptophan and phenylalanine increased the CP sharply. Acidic amino acid (aspartic acid) and sugars decreased the CP. The results were explained in terms of their effect on water structure. Amino acids got solubilized either in the micellar interior or in the bulk phase.

Key words: Cloud point, Triton X-114, Urea, Thiourea, Sugar, Amino acid