The surface tension of aqueous solutions of a sodium chloride (NaCl)-decyl methyl sulfoxide (DeMS) mixture was measured as a function of the total molality of the mixture and the mole fraction of DeMS in the mixture at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure. The total surface density of the mixture and the mole fraction of DeMS in the adsorbed film and micelle were numerically evaluated by applying the thermodynamic treatment of surfactant mixture to the NaCl-DeMS mixture. Miscibility of NaCl and DeMS in the adsorbed film and micelle was clarified by use of the phase diagram of adsorption and micelle formation. Positive adsorption of NaCl was observed in the presence of DeMS and attributed to attractive interaction between the polar head group of DeMS molecule and Na+ or Cl- ions in the adsorbed film and micelle. The results were compared with those of NaCl-octyl methyl sulfoxide and NaCl-decyidimethylphosphine oxide mixtures to elucidate the structure effect of nonionic surfactant on the miscibility. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.