Rheological behavior of viscoelastic wormlike micelles in mixed sodium dodecyl trioxyethylene sulfate–monolaurin aqueous system

Rheological behavior of viscoelastic wormlike micelles in an aqueous system of mixed sodium dodecyl trioxyethylene sulfate (SDES)–monolaurin (ML) is presented. Dilute aqueous solution of SDES has a high fluidity and follows Newtonian liquid-like behavior due to formation of small globular type of micellar structure. Addition of lipophilic nonionic cosurfactant ML to dilute or semidilute solution of SDES decreases the interfacial curvature of the aggregates favoring one dimensional micellar growth, and hence, viscosity increases. After a certain concentration of ML, the elongated micelles get entangled with each other leading to the formation of viscoelastic wormlike micelles. The viscoelastic solution follows Maxwell model of a single stress relaxation mode at low-frequency region. Further addition of ML decreases the viscosity of the solution due to formation of micellar joints in the network structure. The viscosity of the viscoelastic wormlike micelles decreases upon heating, and the system with poor viscoelastic character is observed at higher temperatures.     

Rheology of wormlike micelles in aqueous systems of a mixed amino acid-based anionic surfactant and cationic surfactant

Amino acid-based anionic surfactant, N-dodecanoylglutamic acid, after neutralizing by 2, 2′, 2″-nitrilotriethanol forms micellar solution at 25 °C. Addition of cationic cosurfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), hexadecylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and hexadecylpyridinium bromide (CPB) to the semi-dilute solution of anionic surfactant micellar solutions favor the micellar growth and after a certain concentration, entangled rigid network of wormlike micelles are formed. Viscosity increases enormously ～4th order of magnitude compared with water. With further addition of the cosurfactants, viscosity declines and phase separation to liquid crystal occurs. The wormlike micelles showed a viscoelastic behavior and described by Maxwell model with a single stress-relaxation mode. The position of viscosity maximum in the zero-shear viscosity curve shifts towards lower concentration upon changing cosurfactant from CPB to CTAC via CPC; however, the maximum viscosity is highest in the CPB system showing the formation of highly rigid network structure of wormlike micelles. In all the systems, viscosity decays exponentially with temperature following Arrhenius type behavior.     

Structure and dynamics of poly(oxyethylene) cholesteryl ether wormlike micelles: rheometry, SAXS, and cryo-TEM studies

In this article, we provide direct evidence for 1-D micellar growth and the formation of a network structure in an aqueous system of poly(oxyethylene) cholesteryl ether (ChEO(20)) and lauryl diethanolamide (L-02) by rheometry, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The ChEO(20) self-assembles into spheroid micelles above the critical micelle concentration and undergoes a 1-D microstructural transition upon the incorporation of L-02, which because of its lipophilic nature tends to be solubilized into the micellar palisade layer and reduces the micellar curvature. The elongated micelles entangle with each other, forming network structures of wormlike micelles, and the system shows viscoelastic properties, which could be described by the Maxwell model. A peak observed in the zero-shear viscosity (η(0)) versus L-02 concentration curve shifted toward higher L-02 concentrations and the value of maximum viscosity (η(0?max)) increased with the increasing ChEO(20) mixing fraction with water. We observed that η(0?max) increased by 2 to 4 orders of magnitude as a function of the ChEO(20) concentration. The Maxwell relaxation time (τ(R)) shows a maximum value at a concentration corresponding to η(0?max) (i.e., τ(R) increases with L-02 concentration and then decreases after attaining a maximum value, whereas the plateau modulus (G(0)) shows monotonous growth). These observations demonstrate microstructural transitions in two different modes: L-02 first induces 1-D micellar growth and as a result the viscosity increases, and finally after the system attains its maximum viscosity, L-02 causes branching in the network structures. The microstructure transitions are confirmed by SAXS and cryo-TEM techniques.     

Viscoelastic wormlike micellar solutions made from nonionic surfactants: structural investigations by SANS and DLS

A highly viscoelastic micellar solution of nonionic surfactants in a dilute region was recently reported. A transient network of wormlike micelles formed with the addition of short-EO-chain poly(oxyethylene) dodecyl ether surfactants (C12EO(j), j = 1-4) to poly(oxyethylene) cholesteryl ethers (ChEO(m), m = 10 and 15). A gradual increase in micellar length with an increasing C12EO(j) concentration was assumed from the results of model calculations and rheological measurements. We report in this study the results of structural investigations with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to confirm this assumption. Tuning from spherical to wormlike and to locally flat structures can be achieved by way of three methods. One can either increase the C12EO(j) concentration or decrease j (smaller headgroup size) at a fixed concentration of C12EO(j). The third possibility is to increase the temperature at a fixed composition. All three methods result in the same structural transition. The formation of a transient network of wormlike micelles analogous to polymer solutions can be observed with dynamic light scattering (DLS). A stretched exponential approach was applied to fit the correlation functions.     

Wormlike micelles of a C22-tailed zwitterionic betaine surfactant: from viscoelastic solutions to elastic gels

The 22-carbon-tailed zwitterionic surfactant erucyl dimethyl amidopropyl betaine (EDAB) forms highly viscoelastic fluids in water at low concentrations and without the need for salt or other additives. Here, semidilute aqueous solutions of EDAB are studied by using a combination of rheological techniques, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). EDAB samples show interesting rheology as a function of temperature. At low temperatures (approximately 25 degrees C), a 50 mM EDAB sample behaves like an elastic gel with an infinite relaxation time and viscosity. Upon heating to approximately 60 degrees C, however, the sample begins to respond like a viscoelastic solution; that is, the relaxation time and zero-shear viscosity become finite, and the rheology approaches that of a Maxwell fluid. The same pattern of behavior is repeated at higher EDAB concentrations. Cryo-TEM and SANS reveal the presence of giant wormlike micelles in all EDAB samples at room temperature. The results imply that, depending on temperature, EDAB wormlike micelles can exhibit either a gel-like response or the classical viscoelastic ("Maxwellian") response. The unusual gel-like behavior of EDAB micelles at low temperatures is postulated to be the result of very long micellar breaking times, which, in turn, may be due to the long hydrophobic tails of the surfactant.     

Wormlike micelles and microemulsions in aqueous mixtures of sucrose esters and nonionic cosurfactants

A study of the phase and rheological behavior of sucrose hexadecanoate (C16SE)/cosurfactant/water systems in the presence of solubilized oil, using complementary techniques such as dynamic light scattering and small angle X-ray scattering, is presented. Viscoelastic wormlike micellar solutions are found when a nonionic lipophilic cosurfactant is added to C16SE aqueous systems. Contrary to previous reports, the effect of oil solubilization on these wormlike micelles is not unique and depends on several factors. Linear alkyl chain oils that tend to solubilize in the micellar core have a disrupting effect, decreasing the relaxation time and the viscosity of the systems. This effect is larger as the molecular volume of oil increases and as the solubility of the cosurfactant in oil increases. On the other hand, oils that penetrate in the palisade layer, such as p-xylene, induce micellar growth and have a thickening effect at a given micellar composition. Thermodynamic considerations are used to explain the experimental results.     

A new reverse wormlike micellar system: mixtures of bile salt and lecithin in organic liquids

We report a new route for forming reverse wormlike micelles (i.e., long, flexible micellar chains) in nonpolar organic liquids such as cyclohexane and n-decane. This route involves the addition of a bile salt (e.g., sodium deoxycholate) in trace amounts to solutions of the phospholipid lecithin. Previous recipes for reverse wormlike micelles have usually required the addition of water to induce reverse micellar growth; here, we show that bile salts, due to their unique "facially amphiphilic" structure, can play a role analogous to that of water and promote the longitudinal aggregation of lecithin molecules into reverse micellar chains. The formation of transient entangled networks of these reverse micelles transforms low-viscosity lecithin organosols into strongly viscoelastic fluids. The zero-shear viscosity increases by more than 5 orders of magnitude, and it is the molar ratio of bile salt to lecithin that controls the viscosity enhancement. The growth of reverse wormlike micelles is also confirmed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments on these fluids.     

Viscoelastic micellar solutions in a mixed nonionic fluorinated surfactants system and the effect of oils

Formation and rheological behavior of viscoelastic wormlike micelles in aqueous solution of a mixed system of nonionic fluorinated surfactants, perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide ethoxylate, C8F17SO2N(C3H7)(CH2CH2O)nH (abbreviated as C8F17EOn) was studied. In the water-surfactant binary system C8F17EO20 forms an isotropic micellar solution over wide concentration range (>85 wt %) at 25 degrees C. With successive addition of C8F17EO1 to the aqueous C8F17EO20 solution, viscosity of the solution increases swiftly, and a viscoelastic solution is formed. The oscillatory rheological behavior of the viscoelastic solution can be described by Maxwell model at low-frequency region, which is typical of wormlike micelles. With further addition of C8F17EO1, the viscosity decreases after a maximum and phase separation occurs. Addition of a small amount of fluorinated oils to the wormlike micellar solution disrupts the network structure and decreases the viscosity sharply. It is found that polymeric oil, PFP (F-(C3F6O)nCF2CF2COOH), decreases the viscosity more effectively than the perfluorodecalin (PFD). The difference in the effect of oil on rheological properties is explained in terms of the solubilization site of the oils in the hydrophobic interior of the cylindrical aggregates, and their ability to induce rod-sphere transition.     

CO2 responsive wormlike micelles based on sodium oleate,potassium chloride and N,N-dimethylethanolamine

The anionic surfactant sodium oleate (NaOA) can self-assemble in aqueous solution in the presence of counter-ion inorganic salts to form wormlike micelles (WLMs), which exhibited viscoelastic behavior. In this paper, KCl was used to induce the formation of wormlike micelles with sodium oleate. In this process, we found that the addition of N, N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) can destroy the structure of WLMs leading significant decrease of viscosity. However, after introducing CO₂ into the ternary solution (KCl-NaOA-DMEA), the WLMs can be regenerated due to the electrostatic interaction between the protonated DMEA and the anionic surfactants. The addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) causes the electrostatic interaction between OA^- and DMEAH⁺ be destroyed, which results in the wormlike micelles becoming spherical micelles of lower viscosity. The transition of WLMs with high viscosity and low viscosity spherical micelles can be repeated several times by using CO₂ and NaOH.     

Wormlike micelles in mixed amino acid-based anionic/nonionic surfactant systems

We present the formation of viscoelastic wormlike micelles in mixed amino acid-based anionic and nonionic surfactants in aqueous systems in the absence of salt. N-Dodecylglutamic acid (designated as LAD) has a higher Krafft temperature; however, on neutralization with alkaline amino acid l-lysine, it forms micelles and the solution behaves like a Newtonian fluid at 25 degrees C. Addition of tri(oxyethylene) monododecyl ether (C(12)EO(3)) and tri(oxyethylene) monotetradecyl ether (C(14)EO(3)) to the dilute aqueous solution of the LAD-lysine induces one-dimensional micellar growth. With increasing C(12)EO(3) or C(14)EO(3) concentration, the solution viscosity increases gradually, but after a certain concentration, the elongated micelles entangle forming a rigid network of wormlike micelles and the solution viscosity increases tremendously. Thus formed wormlike micelles show a viscoelastic character and follow the Maxwell model. Tri(oxyethylene) monohexadecyl ether (C(16)EO(3)), on the other hand, could not form wormlike micelles, although the solution viscosity increases too. The micelles become elongated; however, they do not appear to form a rigid network of wormlike micelles in the case of C(16)EO(3). Rheological measurements have shown that zero shear viscosity (eta(0)) increases with the C(12)EO(3) concentration gradually at first and then sharply, and finally decreases before phase separation. However, no such maximum in the eta(0) plot is observed with the C(14)EO(3). The eta(0) increases monotonously with the C(14)EO(3) concentration till phase separation. In studies of the effect of temperature on the wormlike micellar behavior it has been found that the eta(0) decays exponentially with temperature, following an Arrehenius behavior and at sufficiently higher temperatures the solutions follow a Newtonian behavior. The flow activation energy calculated from the slope of log eta(0) versus 1/T plot is very close to the value reported for typical wormlike micelles. Finally, we also present the effect of neutralization degree of lysine on the rheology and phase behavior. The formation of wormlike micelles is confirmed by the Maxwell model fit to the experimental rheological data and by Cole-Cole plots.     

Self-assembled networks highly responsive to hydrocarbons

Rheological studies were performed with aqueous salt solutions of anionic surfactant potassium oleate and its mixtures with hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide. Semidilute solutions of the surfactant in the presence of salt (KCl) demonstrate viscoelastic properties due to the formation of a transient network of entangled wormlike micelles. These systems are highly responsive to hydrocarbons: the addition of n-heptane or n-dodecane reduces the viscosity of solutions by up to 4 to 5 orders of magnitude, thus inducing the transition of a gellike system to a fluid one. It is the transformation of cylindrical surfactant micelles into spherical ones upon absorption of hydrocarbon that disrupts the network. The addition of a small amount (0.5 wt %) of associating polymer leads to up to a 5000-fold increase in the zero-shear viscosity and enhances the susceptibility to hydrocarbons. SANS data show that independently of the presence of polymer the radius of wormlike micelles is roughly equal to the length of a surfactant molecule, whereas the radius of spheres formed upon the absorption of hydrocarbon is 2-2.5-fold higher. A possible structure of the spherical micelles is discussed.     

Viscoelastic micellar water/CTAB/NaNO(3) solutions: rheology, SANS and cryo-TEM analysis

Aqueous micellar solutions of the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium nitrate (NaNO(3)) were examined using steady and dynamic rheology, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Upon addition of NaNO(3), the CTAB spherical micelles transform into long, flexible wormlike micelles, conveying viscoelastic properties to the solutions. The zero-shear viscosity (eta(0)) versus NaNO(3) concentration curve exhibits a well-defined maximum. Likewise, upon increase in temperature, the viscosity decreases. Dynamic rheological data of the entangled micellar solutions can be well described by the Maxwell model. Changes in the structural parameters of the micelles with addition of NaNO(3) were inferred from SANS measurements. The intensity of scattered neutrons at the low q region was found to increase with increasing NaNO(3) concentration. This suggests an increase in size of the micelles and/or decrease of intermicellar interactions with increasing salt concentration. Analysis of the SANS data using prolate ellipsoidal structure and Yukawa form of interaction potential between micelles indicates that addition of NaNO(3) leads to a decrease in the surface charge of the ellipsoidal micelles and consequently an increase in their length. The structural transition from spherical to entangled threadlike micelles, induced by the addition of NaNO(3) to CTAB micelles is further confirmed by cryo-TEM.     

Viscoelastic solution of long polyoxyethylene chain phytosterol/monoglyceride/water systems

We have studied the rheology and structure of a mixed long polyoxyethylene chain phytosterol (PhyEO₃₀) and monoglyceride (monolaurin (ML) or monopalmitin (MP)) surfactants in an aqueous system. Both ML and MP are insoluble in 10 wt.% PhyEO₃₀ solution at normal room temperature, but their solubility is found to increase with the rise of temperature and an isotropic solution is formed at higher temperature. A maximum viscosity as a function of temperature appears as ML or MP is solubilized in the micellar solution of PhyEO₃₀. With increasing temperature, viscosity increases rapidly for higher monoglyceride content and forms viscoelastic solution. The oscillatory rheological behavior of the viscoelastic solution can be described by Maxwell model at low-frequency region, which is the typical pattern of entangled wormlike micelles. Upon successive increase in temperature, the viscosity decreases and ultimately a phase separation occurs. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements were performed to provide a supportive structural evidence for the rheological data.     

Wormlike micelles in mixed surfactant systems: effect of cosolvents

We have studied the structure and rheological behavior of viscoelastic wormlike micellar solutions in the mixed nonionic surfactants poly(oxyethylene) cholesteryl ether (ChEO15)-trioxyethylene monododecyl ether (C12EO3) and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-C12EO3 using a series of glycerol/water and formamide/water mixed solvents. The obtained results are compared with those reported in pure water for the corresponding mixed surfactant systems. The zero-shear viscosity first sharply increases with C12EO3 addition and then decreases; i.e., there is a viscosity maximum. The intensity (viscosity) and position (C12EO3 fraction) of this maximum shift to lower values upon an increase in the ratio of glycerol in the glycerol/water mixed solvent, while the position of the maximum changes in an opposite way with increasing formamide. In the case of the SDS/C12EO3 system, zero-shear viscosity shows a decrease with an increase of temperature, but for the ChEO15/C12EO3 system, again, the zero-shear viscosity shows a maximum if plotted as a function of temperature, its position depending on the C12EO3 mixing fraction. In the studied nonionic systems, worm micelles seem to exist at low temperatures (down to 0 degrees C) and high glycerol concentrations (up to 50 wt %), which is interesting from the viewpoint of applications such as drag reduction fluids. Rheology results are supported by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements on nonionic systems, which indicate micellar elongation upon addition of glycerol or increasing temperature and shortening upon addition of formamide. The results can be interpreted in terms of changes in the surface curvature of aggregates and lyophobicity.     

The effect of alkane tail length of CiE8 surfactants on transport to the silicone oil-water interface

The phase behavior and rheological properties of an anionic surfactant, bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT), mixed with a zwitterionic tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (C(14)DMAO) in aqueous solutions, were studied at different ratios, R=w(AOT)/(w(C(14)DMAO + w(AOT)). When R=1, the 6.0 wt% AOT solution is two-phase with dense vesicles as the lower phase. With an increase of C(14)DMAO fraction (decreasing R) at a total concentration of 6.0 wt%, the lower vesicle-phase (L(αv)-phase) extends to generate a single L(αv)-phase. Then the L(αv)-phase turns into a viscoelastic wormlike micellar phase and finally rod-like or spherical C(14)DMAO micelles. The wormlike micellar solutions (from R=0.3 to 0.2) are highly viscoelastic, indicating the formation of rigid network structures. The rheological properties of the viscoelastic solutions exhibit a typical Maxwell characteristic at low and intermediate oscillatory frequencies. A pronounced temperature effect on the wormlike micellar structures can be observed by rheological studies. With an increase in temperature, the samples become less structured due to shortening of the micelles. After introducing certain additives, e.g., octanol and divalent metal ions, a transition from wormlike micellar phases to birefringent L(αv)-phases was observed.     

Wormlike micelles mediated by polyelectrolyte

Aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant potassium oleate (K-oleate) were studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), steady-state rheology, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The micellar structural changes induced by the addition of potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) of different molecular weights were investigated. Upon addition of KCl, a transition from spherical to wormlike micelles was detected from the SANS data and confirmed by the cryo-TEM pictures. The rheological measurements revealed a strong dependence of the low-shear viscosity on the concentration of salt: a broad maximum in the viscosity curve was observed upon addition of KCl, characteristic of the growth of micelles into long worms, followed by branching. The addition of PSS to salt-free solutions of K-oleate had a significant effect on the scattering patterns, revealing partial growth of the spherical micelles into rodlike micelles. In contrast, in the presence of high salt concentrations, addition of PSS to solutions of wormlike micelles did not bring any noticeable modifications in the scattering. However, in the same salt conditions, a clear effect was observed on the low shear viscosity upon addition of PSS, which was found to depend significantly on molecular weight. This suggests a novel way of impacting the viscosity of solutions of wormlike micelles.     

Elongational flow induced ordering in surfactant micelles and mesophases

We have used small angle neutron scattering, SANS, to investigate the elongational flow induced ordering in surfactant micelles and mesophases. Spatially resolved SANS measurements have been used to determine the distribution of orientational ordering over the flow velocity pattern in an elongational flow cell, and comparison with the effects of shear flow are made. Two different surfactant systems have been studied, the charged wormlike mixed micelles of hexaethylene monododecyl ether, C16E6/hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide, C16TAB (3% C16E(6)/5 mol% C16TAB), and the Lalpha lamellar phase of C16E6 (50.6 wt% C16E6 at 55 degrees C), and a substantially different response is observed. The orientational distribution of the Lalpha lamellar phase of C16E6 reflects the flow velocity pattern distribution within the cell, whereas for the wormlike mixed micelles of C16E6/C16TAB this is not the case, and this is associated with the shear thinning behavior of that system.     

TBAB/KCl对构筑阴离子蠕虫状胶束的影响

采用流变测试技术考察了两种阴离子表面活性剂油酸钠(NaOA)和芥酸钠(NaOEr)在四丁基溴化铵(TBAB)和KCl诱导下构筑蠕虫状胶束的行为.随着KCl浓度增加, NaOA水溶液粘度增加,而加入TBAB使NaOA-KCl样品的粘度持续降低.与之相反, TBAB浓度的增加却使NaOEr-KCl样品的粘度大幅度增强.此外, NaOEr分子比NaOA表现出更强的形成胶束的能力,构成粘弹性蠕虫状胶束所需表面活性剂浓度和盐浓度更少.本文采用TBAB和KCl两种盐协同诱导NaOEr,制备了具有强粘弹性的阴离子蠕虫状胶束,探讨了盐TBAB/KCl对长链阴离子表面活性剂构筑蠕虫状胶束的影响机理.     

Reversible photorheological fluids based on spiropyran-doped reverse micelles

We describe a new class of photorheological (PR) fluids whose rheological properties can be reversibly tuned by light. The fluids were obtained by doping lecithin/sodium deoxycholate (SDC) reverse micelles with a photochromic spiropyran (SP) compound. Initially, the lecithin/SDC/SP mixtures formed highly viscoelastic fluids, reflecting the presence of long, wormlike reverse micelles. Under UV irradiation, the SP was isomerized to the open merocyanine (MC) form, causing the fluid viscosity to decrease 10-fold. When the UV irradiation was switched off, the MC reverted to the SP form, and the viscosity recovered its initial value. This cycle could be repeated several times without loss of response. The rheological transitions are believed to reflect changes in the lengths of the reverse worms. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a simple, reversible PR fluid that can be made entirely from commercially available components.     

Self-assembly of surfactant vesicles that transform into viscoelastic wormlike micelles upon heating

Unilamellar vesicles are observed to form in aqueous solutions of the cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), when 5-methyl salicylic acid (5mS) is added at slightly larger than equimolar concentrations. When these vesicles are heated above a critical temperature, they transform into long, flexible wormlike micelles. In this process, the solutions switch from low-viscosity, Newtonian fluids to viscoelastic, shear-thinning fluids having much larger zero-shear viscosities (e.g., 1000-fold higher). The onset temperature for this transition increases with the concentration of 5mS at a fixed CTAB content. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements show that the phase transition from vesicles to micelles is a continuous one, with the vesicles and micelles coexisting over a narrow range of temperatures. The tunable vesicle-to-micelle transition and the concomitant viscosity increase upon heating may have utility in a range of areas, including microfluidics, controlled release, and tertiary oil recovery.