Observation of micelle solution of decyltrimethylammonium bromide by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A micelle solution of decyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) was analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Finding an appropriate range of a capillary-skimmer potential was a prerequisite for obtaining a satisfactory spectrum. The mean molecular weight of DTAB aggregates, 10,500, was deduced from a series of mass spectra acquired at different capillary-skimmer potentials. The value was comparable with the micelle weight, previously determined by the light-scattering method.