Crystallization from the micellar phase of imidazolium-based cationic surfactants

► We study the phase behavior of the imidazolium-based surfactant C16mimCl. ► Two types of micelles form depending on the concentration of C16mimCl. ► The spherical micellar phase converts directly into a lamellar crystalline phase upon cooling. ► The cylindrical micellar phase converts to a lamellar crystalline phase via a lamellar gel phase. ► The submolecular mechanisms of the crystallization processes were studied.