Complex, Dynamic Behavior of Extremely Asymmetric Di-n-Alkylphosphate-Anion Aggregates, the Long-Chain Effect and the Role of a Limiting Size: Cryo-TEM, SANS, and X-Ray Diffraction Studies

J Phys Chem B. 2017 Apr 27;121(16):4099-4114. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b00433. Epub 2017 Apr 14.

Abstract

For extremely asymmetric n-hexyl(n-decyl)phosphate (HDeP), n-hexyl(n-dodecyl)phosphate (HDoP), and n-hexyl(n-cetyl)phosphate (HCeP), the effect of the long-chains on the dynamic behavior of their aggregate structures in water was examined by cryo-TEM imaging, SANS, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The cryo-TEM images demonstrated the complex and dynamic behavior of the aggregates, and its dependence on the length of the long-chain. Application of the one-dimensional aggregate theory to the SANS results led to the conclusion that the existence of a limiting size also depended on the length of the main long-hydrocarbon chain and affected strongly the dynamic behavior of the aggregates, causing breakage of thread-like micelles or ribbon-like aggregates. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the lyotropic liquid crystalline samples of HDeP and HCeP were used to estimate the aggregate structures of this limited size.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't