Dielectric Analysis for the Spherical and Rodlike Micelle Aggregates Formed from a Gemini Surfactant: Driving Forces of Micellization and Stability of Micelles

Abstract

The self-aggregation behavior of Gemini surfactant 12-2-12 (ethanediyl-1,2-bis­(dimethyldodecylammonium bromide)) in water was investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) over a frequency range from 40 Hz to 110 MHz. Dielectric determination shows that well-defined spherical micelles formed when the concentration of the surfactant was above a critical micelle concentration CMC<sub>1</sub> of 3 mM and rodlike micelles formed above CMC<sub>2</sub>, 16 mM. The formation mechanism of the spherical micelles and their transition mechanism to clubbed micelles were proposed by calculating the degree of counterion binding of the micelles. The interactions between the head groups and the hydrophobic chains of the surfactant led to the formation of the micelles, whereas the transition is mainly attributed to the interaction among the hydrophobic chains. By analyzing the dielectric relaxation observed at about 10<sup>7</sup> Hz based on the interface polarization theory, the permittivity and conductivity of micelle aggregates (spherical and clubbed) and volume fraction of micelles were calculated theoretically as well as the electrical properties of the solution medium. Furthermore, we also calculated the electrokinetic parameters of the micelle particle surface, surface conductivity, surface charge density, and zeta potential, using the relaxation parameters and phase parameters. On the basis of these results, the balance of forces controlling morphological transitions, interfacial electrokinetic properties, and the stability of the micelle aggregates was discussed

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