Phase behavior of didecylpyrrolidium bromide in aqueous solution

The phase behavior of a double chained pyrrolidinium surfactant, didecylpyrrolidium bromide (DC10PB), in aqueous solution was studied. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), cryogenic-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were employed to investigate the properties of the structures formed. With increasing DC10PB concentration, isotropic solution phase, vesicle phase, and lamellar liquid crystal (LLC) phase are presented in aqueous solution. The structural parameters of the LLC phase were calculated from SAXS patterns, which show the change in detail as a function of the amount of DC10PB. The rheological measurements reveal that the viscoelasticity increases with DC10PB concentration because of the densely packing of the surfactant molecules.

The phase behavior of double chained didecylpyrrolidium bromide (DC10PB) in aqueous solution was investigated at 25 °C. It was found that DC10PB was easy to self-assemble into bilayers including vesicles and lamellar liquid crystals compared with single-chain surfactants.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Didecylpyrrolidium bromide can form bilayers in aqueous solution.
► The structural parameters of the LLC phase depend on the content of surfactant.
► The properties of aggregates are influenced by the structure of hydrophobic chain.