Cross-linking of micelles by gemini surfactants

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to explore how gemini surfactants influence micelle formation and cross-linking, revealing that low concentrations of hydrophilic gemini surfactants can cross-link single-tail micelles, unlike lipids.

Contribution

It provides the first simulation-based evidence of micelle cross-linking by gemini surfactants at low concentrations, highlighting the role of hydrophilic spacers.

Findings

Gemini surfactants induce cross-linking of micelles at low concentrations.

Lipids form mixed but unlinked micelles with single-tail surfactants.

Cross-linking depends on gemini concentration and spacer hydrophilicity.

Abstract

We investigate the effects of gemini surfactants, telechelic chain and lipids on the nature of micelles formed by conventional single-tail surfactants in water by carrying out Monte Carlo simulations. In a mixture of gemini and single-tail surfactants in water we find direct evidence of micelles of predominantly single-tail surfactants some of which are dynamically cross-linked by gemini surfactants when the concentrations of the geminis is only a few mole percent and their spacers are {\it hydrophilic}. In contrast, mixtures of lipids and single-tail surfactants in water form only isolated micelles, each consisting of a mixture of both species, without cross-links.