The interplay of hydrophobic and electrostatic effects in the surfactant-induced aggregation/deaggregation of chlorin p6

The aggregation/deaggregation of chlorin p6 with the surfactants CTAB, SDS, and TX 100 have been studied by using absorption, fluorescence, and light scattering techniques. The ionic surfactants are found to cause aggregation of fluorophore at submicellar concentrations. The aggregates dissolve at higher surfactant concentrations to yield micellized monomers. This is rationalized by the interplay of electrostatic and hydrophobic effects. A prominent pH effect is observed in the ionic surfactant induced aggregation process as the charge on the fluorophore is controlled by the pH of the medium. Interestingly, the neutral TX-100 also induces aggregation of chlorin p6 at low concentrations, indicating that hydrophobic effects by themselves can cause aggregation unless there is a hindrance by repulsive electrostatic effects.