On the concentration-induced growth of nonionic wormlike micelles.
We present a comprehensive study of the concentration-induced growth of nonionic wormlike micelles in dilute solutions, below the overlap concentration, where we combine static and dynamic light scattering and NMR self-diffusion. The data are analyzed in detail in terms of the number-averaged contour length, assuming an exponential size distribution, as predicted by theory, and that the micellar flexibility can be described by the wormlike chain model with a certain persistence length. A very good agreement between the different experimental methods is obtained. The number-averaged contour length increases with increasing micelle volume fraction. The data are consistent with a power law, where the power law exponent is in the range 0.5-0.8, depending on the system. The result is in reasonable agreement with the theory of living polymers.
Bulut
S
S
Physical Chemistry 1, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P.O.Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden. Sanja.Bulut@fkem1.lu.se
Hamit
J
J
Olsson
U
U
Kato
T
T
D004987:Ethers / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008823:Micelles; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D004987:Ethers; D008823:Micelles; D014867:Water; C077053:pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols