An observation of the coexistence of multimers and micelles in a nonionic surfactant C10E4 solution by dynamic light scattering

The bulk phase of nonionic surfactant C10E4 solution was monitored by a dynamic light scattering (DLS) system at 20 °C in a narrow range of concentration near the cmc. Two particle aggregations were observed. The DLS data show (i) there exist premicellar multimers (or called sub-micelles) and (ii) micelles coexist with multimers. The C10E4 sub-micelles have a narrow size distribution with an averaged hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) of 1.35 nm. The Dh of the micelles is around 10.5 nm at 1.0 × 10−6 mol/mL and increases slightly with C10E4 concentration. It is illustrated from the DLS data that (i) at C = 0.78–0.82 μmol/mL, monomers and premicellar multimers coexist and (ii) at C = 0.84–0.92 μmol/mL, monomers + submicellar multimers + micelles coexist. At more elevated concentrations, only the signals from the micelles are detected by DLS.