Hair surface interactions against different chemical functional groups as a function of environment and hair condition

The study investigated molecular interactions on hair surfaces using Chemical Force Microscopy, focusing on how different chemical functional groups interact with hair under various conditions. It found that in ambient conditions, capillary forces dominate due to hair wettability and chemical functionality, while in aqueous environments, electrostatic interactions prevail when polar groups are present. Hydrophobic interactions are significant for virgin hair in water. The research concluded that hydrophobic interactions drive deposition on virgin hair, whereas electrostatic interactions are crucial for bleached hair. The study provided insights into the interfacial conformation of surface actives on hair, highlighting the potential for various polar groups on damaged hair and offering a method to evaluate these interactions quantitatively.